Clearfield Showcases Expanded Portfolio with Distributed TAP Architecture to Enable Flexible Fiber Deployments

Rhea-AI Summary

Clearfield (NASDAQ:CLFD) has announced the launch of a comprehensive Distributed Test Access Point (TAP) architecture solution, expanding its portfolio for fiber network providers. This innovation aims to simplify fiber deployment across various environments, including rural areas, urban settings, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs).

The expanded portfolio addresses different deployment scenarios: Rural deployments can benefit from lower up-front material and splicing costs, though with some trade-offs in network upgradability. In urban and MDU environments, shorter fiber lengths mean less impact on optical loss budget, enabling cost savings without compromising signal strength. The Distributed TAP solutions are integrated into OSP access terminals and MDU wall boxes, making them suitable for diverse deployment challenges.

Positive

• Launch of new Distributed TAP architecture solution expanding product portfolio
• Solution enables cost reduction in deployment materials and splicing for rural areas
• Technology optimized for urban and MDU environments with minimal signal loss

Negative

• Rural deployment option sacrifices network upgradability and service restoration capabilities
• Increased engineering complexity in rural implementations

Highlighting innovation and craft-friendly design across all deployment architectures

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD), the leader in community broadband fiber connectivity, today announced the launch of a comprehensive Distributed Test Access Point (TAP) architecture solution to its portfolio, further expanding deployment options for fiber network providers. The new offering highlights Clearfield’s commitment to providing flexible, scalable and craft-friendly solutions that simplify fiber deployment in any environment, including rural areas, urban settings, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs), while addressing the growing demand for reliable, high-speed broadband.

"Clearfield's strength lies in its ability to innovate across all deployment architectures and Distributed TAP is no exception,” said Anis Khemakhem, Chief Marketing Officer at Clearfield. "With our continued focus on evolving deployment architectures, we're meeting the unique demands of diverse deployment environments while delivering the same craft-friendly, reliable solutions that customers expect from Clearfield, making it easier than ever to deliver broadband to underserved communities and beyond.”

Clearfield’s expanded portfolio now supports a wider range of deployment needs including:

• Rural Deployments: Choosing Distributed TAP solutions for rural deployments supports lean deployment objectives. This can lower up-front material and splicing costs, but at the expense of losing network upgradability, service restoral and engineering complexity.
• Urban and MDU Environments: With shorter overall fiber lengths in urban and MDU environments, the impact of using Distributed TAP components on the optical loss budget will be lesser than rural environments, resulting in the ability to achieve lower up-front costs without sacrificing signal strength to end customers.
• Challenging Environments: With Distributed TAP solutions integrated into several product platforms, including OSP access terminals and MDU wall boxes, Clearfield Distributed TAP solutions can tackle diverse deployment challenges, from rural and urban landscapes to densely packed business parks and MDUs.

As demand for fiber connectivity continues to rise, Clearfield remains at the forefront of innovation, adapting its portfolio to meet evolving deployment requirements. All architectures have inherent advantages and disadvantages. Clearfield partners with network providers to assess and guide them to a best-in-class network that meets their deployment goals.

Further insights into deployment architectures and the role of Distributed TAP within Clearfield’s portfolio can be found in the white paper “Fiber to the Home Optical Network Architecture Choices.”

For more information about Clearfield’s Distributed TAP architecture and its applications, visit www.SeeClearfield.com.

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD) designs, manufactures, and distributes fiber optic management, protection, and delivery solutions that play a critical role in enabling broadband operators to close the digital divide. Our labor lite, craft-friendly platform is leveraged by community broadband, MSOs, incumbent service providers, ISPs, data centers, military, municipalities, and coops - from homes passed to homes connected faster and more efficiently. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Clearfield deploys more than a million fiber ports each year. For more information, visit www.SeeClearfield.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204798293/en/

Media Contact:

Christy Barbaran

Connect2 Communications for Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield@connect2comm.com

Source: Clearfield, Inc.

FAQ

What is the new product Clearfield (CLFD) launched in 2024?

Clearfield launched a comprehensive Distributed Test Access Point (TAP) architecture solution to expand deployment options for fiber network providers.

How does Clearfield's new TAP architecture benefit rural deployments?

The Distributed TAP solutions support lean deployment objectives in rural areas by lowering up-front material and splicing costs, though with trade-offs in network upgradability.

What advantages does CLFD's TAP solution offer for urban and MDU environments?

In urban and MDU environments, the shorter fiber lengths result in minimal impact on optical loss budget, allowing for lower up-front costs without compromising signal strength.

What are the main deployment environments targeted by Clearfield's new TAP architecture?

The solution targets three main environments: rural deployments, urban settings, and multi-dwelling units (MDUs), with specific benefits for each scenario.