Cox Communications has approved for use a platform from Xtend Networks that emulates T-1-based voice and data services over HFC (hybrid fiber/coax) plant.

Xtend’s platform is capable of serving up to 48 T-1 links via a modular headend system, dubbed the XMTS, and its V3xx family of T-1 modems. In addition to providing commercial-class voice and data services, the technology can also be used to backhaul cellular traffic via the cable network.

Cox could use the technology to support its commercial services division, but has yet to say when or where it might employ it.

“As we continue to grow in the commercial sector, it is important to scale our HFC network to deliver higher bandwidth and carrier-class offerings to meet telecom-quality T-1 services,” said Kristine Faulkner, vice president of product marketing and management, Cox Business Services.

It marks the latest agreement between the MSO and the vendor. In the fall of 2003, Cox also approved the use of a bandwidth expansion platform from Xtend that is designed to push cable spectrum as high as 3 GHz. Cox, which greenlighted it in support of commercial services deployments, has not announced any deployments of Xtend’s 3 GHz platform, although the MSO has tested it in Pensacola, Fla.