May 13 2008
Firecomms Ltd., a leading developer of high speed Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) transceivers and Visible Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), and Information Systems Management Solutions (ISMS), a world renowned leader in the design and deployment of broadband community IP networks, today announce an alliance to bring high-performance plastic optical fiber networks based on Firecomms technology into residential (single family-and multiple dwelling units), offices and institutions for the support of broadband applications.
ISMS will incorporate POF in its FITH (Fiber-In-the-Home) strategy, advocating to its city and developer customers the inclusion of POF in building ordinances for the design-in and deployment of POF networks using Firecomms devices.
"With its high-performance and low cost implementation for broadband networks, Firecomms’ OptoLock® plugless transceiver coupled with POF fits nicely with our strategy of delivering superior network solutions while lowering deployment costs," says James Hettrick, chairman of ISMS. "The simplicity of this networking solution also makes possible do-it-yourself networks, putting control over future network installations in the hands of the consumer."
"As a strategic consultant to municipalities, developers and utilities worldwide, ISMS is in a unique position to evangelize Firecomms’ POF transceiver products for emerging community-based communications networks," says Lawrence Thorne, Firecomms' vice president of sales and marketing in the Americas. "The inclusion of POF in building ordinances is a significant step toward making this do-it-yourself technology ubiquitous inside homes and businesses worldwide."
Firecomms leads the development of devices to drive POF, a low-cost optical alternative to copper cabling. Due to its ease of use, large core tolerances, and low costs, POF is enjoying significant growth in a wide range of applications. Created for consumer, commercial, industrial, and automotive applications in which plastic fiber can be used more easily and at lower cost than copper or glass fiber, POF is now used in millions of small area networks, such as those in use in many car models, and is rapidly gaining ground in home network and point-to-point interconnection. The POF market is estimated to be worth over $1 billion per year by the end of 2008.