Verizon reported on Wednesday it successfully completed what it believes is the first interoperability trial of next-generation passive optical network (NG-PON2) technology at Verizon Labs in Waltham, Mass., alongside vendors including Adtran, Broadcom, Cortina Access, and Ericsson.
The trial tested plans aligned with Verizon’s Open OMCI specifications, which define the OLT-to-ONT interface and will be shared with the industry in the next few months, according to the company. Verizon said the core of the testing revolved around using equipment from different vendors on either end of a single fiber, and noted the test shows solutions from different companies can be used to deliver service without affecting the end user.
Verizon said it is evaluating NG-PON2 technology to provide increased speeds, functionality, and reliability to subscribers on its fiber access network, including Fios.
More on the test and Verizon’s plans can be found on Wireless Week’s sister site, CED, here.
Virgin Mobile announced the completed transition of its headquarters to Sprint hometown Kansas City, where is it currently operating in a temporary office while renovations are made to its eventual home on another floor. Renovations are expected to be complete by the summer of 2017.
The company said it currently employs 27 full-time staff in marketing, technology, operations, leadership, and customer service roles, and is looking to “aggressively” hire 33 more people in the first half of the year.
“We’re looking for pattern breakers and smart disruptors with restless start-up energy and ideas that will add real value to people’s lives through mobile products and services,” CEO Dow Draper said.
The company noted it may hire up to 100 more staff members, thanks in part to a To $1.87 million grant from the state of Missouri through its Missouri Works program. That grant is valid if the company creates 84 new jobs over the next five years, Virgin said.
Samsung Electronics America (SEA) announced the expansion of its Samsung Alliance Program, designed to deliver customized vertical solutions, expert insights and support services that help customers transform their business through mobility.
Samsung said the program enhances benefits for more than 300 independent software vendors (ISV) by providing them exclusive access to Samsung’s product, R&D, channel, and direct sales teams. This enables ISVs in Samsung’s partner ecosystem to deliver end-to-end mobility solutions and consultation services to customers across various industries. The program is now expanding to include large technology vendors and system integrators (SI).
Numerex Corp., a provider of managed enterprise solutions enabling the Internet of Things (IoT), announced that its Board of Directors has terminated the employment of Marc Zionts as CEO. Zionts’ termination was not related to any company accounting, internal controls, or financial reporting matters, the company said. Kenneth Gayron, the Chief Financial Officer, will assume the additional role of interim CEO, working in close conjunction with the full Board while the company conducts a search for a permanent CEO.
In addition, Kelly Gay has agreed to join Numerex as its COO and will work closely with Gayron to manage the company’s array of security and IoT solutions and diversified customer base.
