To meet the increasing demand for aggregating higher bandwidths through the network, Ericsson has introduced a compact EDA Metro Access Node, EMN120, to address pure Ethernet networks end-to-end. The EMN120 expands Ericsson’s EDA broadband-access portfolio to include Metro Ethernet products and strengthens Ericsson’s Full Service Broadband offering.  

The node supports a rich service mix of centralized and distributed network applications over Full Service Broadband architecture and complements both the OMS Ethernet Transport portfolio as well as the Redback SmartEdge portfolio. It is dedicated to Ericsson’s EDA solutions but the EMN120 can also be used for Ethernet aggregation in non-EDA networks.

Martin Mellor, working with Broadband Access at Ericsson, says: “The compact nature of the EMN120 makes it unique and ideal for first level aggregation between highly distributed access nodes and the Central Office (CO) based Metro network edge. It reinforces Ericsson's carrier Ethernet offering,  providing a rich service mix of centralized and distributed network applications, such as cost-efficient delivery of video services, over a Full Service Broadband architecture.”

Anders Hillbur, from Ericsson’s Broadband Access unit, says: “The EMN120 highlights Ericsson’s ambition to provide an end-to-end offering capable of state-of-the-art broadband infrastructure, including Entrisphere and Redback products.

“The EMN120 aggregates the broadband traffic from users at the edge of the Metro network.  Its value for operators is that it provides a compact and cost-efficient solution for concentration of the traffic.”

Ericsson’s EDA portfolio provides fixed-broadband access solutions based on Ethernet technology. Deep in the access network, EMN120 is a natural extension of the access network towards the core of the broadband networks, aggregating the higher bandwidth following the growth of internet and IPTV services.