Video ready access device
Encyclopedia
A video-ready access device, more commonly known as a "VRAD," provides DSL
access and HD TV programming to customers subscribed to IPTV
services such as AT&T
's U-verse
, Bell Canada
's Bell Fibe TV
and Telus
's Optik TV. VRAD equipment manufactured by Alcatel-Lucent
supplies access to 200 to 400 households per box depending on configuration. The VRAD boxes are fed by fiber optic cable.
There are 2 types of VRAD systems currently used by AT&T: FTTN (fiber to the node), and FTTP (fiber to the premises). FTTN is widely used where copper facilities exist in established neighborhoods. The FTTN system uses a 7330-ISAM shelf, which is composed of circuit boards providing service, fed by fiber and using existing copper wiring to customers' homes. Due to the copper pairs, there are distance limitations from the VRAD cabinet to the customer's home. The FTTP system uses a 7340-ISAM shelf, which is also composed of circuit boards providing service, that are also fed by fiber. This system is mostly used in areas such as new neighborhoods or large scale developments where fiber can be run to the household, removing the distance limitations of copper. The 7340 then connects to a "serving area interface" (SAI) box, which distributes service to homes in the neighborhood, via a dual strand fiber, which is then split into 32 customer fiber pairs. The fiber pairs are typically led into a customer's residence through an equipment room or garage. The fiber connects to a decoder box, then to the customer's TV, computer and phone lines.
. One of AT&T's competitors, Comcast
, has run ads in the Chicago area against U-verse, based on the size and unsightly appearance of AT&T's VRADs. This has caused AT&T to file suit against Comcast.
Four VRADs have exploded due to faulty batteries, at least one causing shrapnel to hurl "fifty feet throughout the neighborhood." The batteries were manufactured by Avestor, a now-bankrupt company. AT&T replaced all 17,000 Avestor batteries used in its VRADs with Alcatel-Lucent
SAFT Ni-Cad batteries. SAFT batteries have a 10 year life and are safer to maintain.
Digital Subscriber Line
Digital subscriber line is a family of technologies that provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop. In telecommunications marketing, the term DSL is widely understood to mean Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ,...
access and HD TV programming to customers subscribed to IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
services such as AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
's U-verse
U-Verse
AT&T U-verse is a registered service mark under which AT&T offers Internet access, television, and telephone services in various parts of the United States. It began in 2008 to serve mostly residences and small businesses in urban and suburban areas.-Services:...
, Bell Canada
Bell Canada
Bell Canada is a major Canadian telecommunications company. Including its subsidiaries such as Bell Aliant, Northwestel, Télébec, and NorthernTel, it is the incumbent local exchange carrier for telephone and DSL Internet services in most of Canada east of Manitoba and in the northern territories,...
's Bell Fibe TV
Bell Fibe TV
Bell Fibe TV is an IP-based television service offered by Bell Canada in Ontario and Quebec. It is bundled with Bell Fibe Internet, and uses the Microsoft Mediaroom platform....
and Telus
TELUS
Telus is a national telecommunications company in Canada that provides a wide range of telecommunications products and services including internet access, voice, entertainment, video, and satellite television. The company is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, part of Greater Vancouver...
's Optik TV. VRAD equipment manufactured by Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent is a global telecommunications corporation, headquartered in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It provides telecommunications solutions to service providers, enterprises, and governments around the world, enabling these customers to deliver voice, data, and video services...
supplies access to 200 to 400 households per box depending on configuration. The VRAD boxes are fed by fiber optic cable.
There are 2 types of VRAD systems currently used by AT&T: FTTN (fiber to the node), and FTTP (fiber to the premises). FTTN is widely used where copper facilities exist in established neighborhoods. The FTTN system uses a 7330-ISAM shelf, which is composed of circuit boards providing service, fed by fiber and using existing copper wiring to customers' homes. Due to the copper pairs, there are distance limitations from the VRAD cabinet to the customer's home. The FTTP system uses a 7340-ISAM shelf, which is also composed of circuit boards providing service, that are also fed by fiber. This system is mostly used in areas such as new neighborhoods or large scale developments where fiber can be run to the household, removing the distance limitations of copper. The 7340 then connects to a "serving area interface" (SAI) box, which distributes service to homes in the neighborhood, via a dual strand fiber, which is then split into 32 customer fiber pairs. The fiber pairs are typically led into a customer's residence through an equipment room or garage. The fiber connects to a decoder box, then to the customer's TV, computer and phone lines.
Controversy
To make its U-verse services available to customers, AT&T needs to install VRADs in the areas they will service. The VRADs are quite large, around 150 centimetres (59.1 in) wide, 122 centimetres (48 in) tall, and 66 centimetres (26 in) deep, which has drawn complaints from homeowners. The utility boxes are also a target for graffitiGraffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
. One of AT&T's competitors, Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
, has run ads in the Chicago area against U-verse, based on the size and unsightly appearance of AT&T's VRADs. This has caused AT&T to file suit against Comcast.
Four VRADs have exploded due to faulty batteries, at least one causing shrapnel to hurl "fifty feet throughout the neighborhood." The batteries were manufactured by Avestor, a now-bankrupt company. AT&T replaced all 17,000 Avestor batteries used in its VRADs with Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent is a global telecommunications corporation, headquartered in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It provides telecommunications solutions to service providers, enterprises, and governments around the world, enabling these customers to deliver voice, data, and video services...
SAFT Ni-Cad batteries. SAFT batteries have a 10 year life and are safer to maintain.