FONS Corp.'s new transmitter makes full internet access affordable through cable TV; Newly developed FONSmitter also allows local cable company to provide video-on-demand, interactive video and other services

NORTHBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1995--FONS (Fiber Optic Network Solutions) Corp., a leading provider of fiber optic communications products, today introduced a new product line that allows cable television (CATV) and telecommunications companies to provide services such as full Internet access, video-on-demand capabilities and interactive video configuration at affordable rates.

The FONSmitter, a fiber optic transmitter that utilizes external modulation (based on lithium niobate technology), allows the cable and telecommunications provider to offer narrowcasting, which had been virtually unavailable due to the costs of existing technologies. Narrowcasting is the ability to send large amounts of information, such as home Internet access, audience based programming and advertising, video-on-demand, etc., to a select group of people. For example, households in one neighborhood can receive a host of different services simultaneously.
Fiber optic deployment in cable systems today utilizes Distributed Feedback Laser (DFB), which provides very restricted narrowcasting capabilities due to the costs of the technology and provides no network redundancy. With the FONSmitter, which is easily and affordably integrated into existing systems, several new services can be generated according to the consumer demand. In addition, the FONSmitter provides full network redundancy, which means the same information is sent from more than one output source simultaneously to ensure continued service should one source fail. Also, lower signal-to-noise and less signal distortion will provide improved picture quality.
"CATV providers have been begging for affordable narrowcasting and redundancy capabilities," said Mike Noonan, president of FONS. "Our new FONSmitter product line provides the CATV and telephone industry an affordable solution to meeting consumer demand for appealing services such as a personal World Wide Web site, video-on-demand, voice capability, interactive services and many others. The increased output capabilities provided by the FONSmitter generate more services, attract more subscribers, increase revenues and decrease costs."
The FONSmitter provides previously unavailable transmission reliability, redundancy and performance for both analog and digital transmission schemes. Outputs of the FONSmitter range from four, providing a high level of optical power, up to 32 outputs with lower level optical power for local distribution. The redundancy and route diversification is achieved through utilizing lithium niobate optical modulation. The initial FONSmitter offers a wide range of usable bandwidth from five up to 850 MHz, as well as 80 standard analog channels.
Product configuration for the FONSmitter allows a dedicated dual transmitter to each node at one-fifth of what it would cost using existing technology. The FONSmitter also decreases any network downtime, simplifies cable architecture and increases the deployment of the CATV's Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) re-builds. A single small rack of the FONSmitter is one-fourth the size of a comparable DFB transmission product.
The FONSmitter will be demonstrated at the Western Show '95 in Anaheim, Calif. at the Anaheim Convention Center, booth No. 1444, 800 W. Katella Avenue, Nov. 29 (11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), Nov. 30 (10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) and Dec. 1 (8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.).
FONS Corp., based in Northboro, Mass., is a leading manufacturer of fiber optic communications products, including patch panels, cable assemblies, adapters, attenuators, FiberMan, transmitters and other fiber optic components.