Full Fibre UK ISP Hyperoptic Improves Network Testing Tech

Broadband ISP Hyperoptic, which is currently deploying a gigabit speed “full fibre” (FTTP/B) network to residential flats (MDUs), office blocks and houses in 40 UK cities and towns, has adopted a new network testing technology from EXFO (Nova Fibre) in order to support their “first-time-right” build philosophy.

The OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometer) and cloud-based “Nova Fiber” solution is designed to act as a remote testing and monitoring system for fibre optic broadband networks, which as well as improving long-term support for existing customers can also help to ensure that new installations get it right the first time (i.e. reducing the need for costly return visits to fix connection problems).

Openreach (BT) adopted the same solution in January 2021 and now Hyperoptic appears to be following suit.

John Rich, Hyperoptic’s Head of Test and Diagnostics, said:

“We are delighted to partner with EXFO, a company as completely fixated on quality as we are. Building it right the first time with high-tech network testing means that we will not only serve today’s customers, but generations to come.

EXFO’s Nova Fiber technology is the best of both worlds in that it is an off-the-shelf solution that is also highly flexible and customizable to our exacting needs, tailored to our engineers’ existing applications. Our customers can be confident that a Hyperoptic-built, EXFO-tested network means they are getting the very best.”

Admittedly, when it comes to EXFO, the more interesting story right now flows from the fact that the company is also in the middle of a takeover battle with rival Viavi. EXFO’s majority shareholder (94%), Germain Lamonde, had just secured an agreement to take the company private (a 62% premium on the share price), until Viavi tabled an even more attractive takeover offer at the 11th hour (a 103% premium). Except Lamonde isn’t budging.

Building scale is very importing in this sector, which lends some strategic merit to the idea of combining EXFO and Viavi. But with such a high level of control, it seems like Lamonde will probably get his way.