I've spent some time blogging and podcasting Verizon's fiber to the premise (FTTP), AT&T's fiber to the node (FTTN) and Cable's DOCSIS 3.0 plans but have not had a chance to discuss what Qwest's plans are for network upgrades and higher bandwidth broadband delivery. Qwest is based in Denver and provides services to 14 states in the western part of the U.S.
Yesterday, Broadband Reports posted an interesting summary of a conference call with new (he started in August) Qwest CEO Ed Mueller. Here's a summary from the Broadband Reports post:
Qwest will spend $300 million over the next two years to bring 20Mbps VDSL to around 1.5 million customers.
Qwest hopes to see a FTTN/VDSL penetration rate of 40% by 2010. Upgrades are going to cost the company around $175 per home. Qwest will focus on portions of around twenty un-mentioned markets.
- $70-100 million will be spent on FTTN this year and another $200 million next year.
Qwest hopes to see a FTTN/VDSL penetration rate of 40% by 2010. Upgrades are going to cost the company around $175 per home. Qwest will focus on portions of around twenty un-mentioned markets.
The Denver Post also published an article yesterday outlining the call and indicated the company will not focus on IP video delivery, stating "the $300 million fiber-to-the-node project is not intended as a deployment of IPTV." Qwest currently has a video agreement with DirectTV and it looks like that agreement will stay in place.
The Post article gave a little more detail on deployment, stating the rollout "will focus on 20 markets with the project, 10 of its largest and 10 others." Also according to the article, Qwest has started to upgrade their network in Denver and Colorado Springs.
Second generation VDSL (Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line), referred to as VDSL2, provides up to 100Mbps over standard copper telephone wires.
