BOSTON (January 10th 2006) - Pioneer Consulting's new report, All-Optical Switches: PON & FTTx Networks Bring New Focus, highlights an emerging opportunity for manufacturers of the oft-maligned all-optical switch. While the dream of an all-optical network operating without the need for electrical conversion may have disappeared with the technology bubble of 2000, the ongoing billion dollar rollout of FTTx (Fiber-To-The-Home/Premises etc.) in North America and elsewhere may offer a new role for all-optical switches (AOS) in remote test and measurement and fiber management applications.

"The all-optical switch is a dream-come-true for the many companies that have to wrestle with the tens of thousands of fibers that are necessary to deploy, test, and maintain the passive optical networks that form the basis for FTTx servicesâ€