What Is a CATV Port on an ONU?

A CATV (Community Antenna Television) port is an RF (radio frequency) coaxial output built directly into an ONU. It allows the ONU to receive and pass through cable TV signals — the same kind of signal that traditionally came from a dedicated cable TV receiver or coaxial splitter.

In a traditional setup, an ISP deploying fiber internet would need a separate piece of equipment to deliver cable TV services. With a CATV-equipped ONU, the fiber terminal itself handles both: the fiber connection delivers high-speed internet data, while the CATV port outputs the cable TV signal simultaneously — from a single box.

This is sometimes called an RF overlay — where RF (radio frequency) TV signals are carried alongside the PON optical signal on the same fiber infrastructure, then separated at the ONU and output through the dedicated CATV port.


Solution fiber network and CATV service all in one

Why CATV ONUs Matter for ISPs

For ISPs, the ability to deliver both services from a single terminal is a significant operational and commercial advantage. Here's why:

1. Simplified Installation

A technician installing a standard fiber ONU and a separate cable TV device needs to run two different connections, configure two devices, and explain two boxes to the subscriber. With a CATV ONU, it's one installation, one device, and one configuration. That means faster deployments and fewer support calls.

2. Reduced Equipment Costs

Fewer devices at the subscriber premises means lower hardware procurement costs, less rack or shelf space, and a simpler bill of materials per deployment. For an ISP deploying thousands of subscriber units, this adds up significantly.

3. New Revenue Stream

By offering cable TV bundled with fiber internet, ISPs can charge a higher monthly ARPU (Average Revenue Per User). A subscriber paying $20/month for internet alone might pay $35/month for an internet + TV bundle — while the ISP's per-port cost barely changes.

4. Competitive Differentiation

In markets where cable TV penetration is still high — particularly in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa — ISPs that can offer TV alongside fiber have a significant advantage over pure-play internet providers.

How RF overlay works on PON networks

In an RF overlay architecture, the cable TV signal (carried at 47–870 MHz RF frequency) is combined with the PON optical signal at the headend using a WDM coupler. The combined signal travels over the same single-mode fiber as the regular internet traffic. At the ONU, the optical and RF signals are separated: internet data goes to the Ethernet/LAN ports, and the cable TV RF signal is routed to the CATV coaxial output port — ready to plug directly into a TV or splitter.

Focuscom CATV ONU Lineup

Focuscom manufactures four CATV-equipped ONU models to cover every deployment scenario — from basic single-port installs to high-end Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 setups with 10G LAN for next-generation fiber networks.

Model Comparison

Not sure which CATV ONU fits your deployment? Use this table to compare the four models side by side.

Real-World Use Cases

Residential Triple-Play Services

The classic use case: a residential subscriber receives internet, telephone (VoIP), and cable TV — the "triple play" — all through a single fiber connection. The ISP installs one CATV ONU, and the subscriber gets everything they need without cluttering their home with multiple devices. The FC3104X-T is ideal for this scenario, with Wi-Fi 6, 4 GE ports, VoIP support, and a CATV port all built in.

MDU (Multi-Dwelling Unit) Deployments

In apartment buildings and condominiums, ISPs can deploy CATV ONUs on a per-unit basis, eliminating the need for a separate cable TV distribution network on each floor. Each unit's ONU serves as the complete fiber + TV terminal. This dramatically simplifies building infrastructure.

Emerging Markets — Where Cable TV is Still Dominant

In Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa, cable TV still has strong subscriber bases. ISPs entering these markets can use CATV ONUs to offer a fiber-plus-TV bundle that competes directly with incumbent cable operators — using just the fiber infrastructure they're already deploying for internet service.

✅ Key deployment advantage: no coaxial infrastructure required

Because the RF signal is carried over the same fiber as internet traffic (using RF overlay / WDM), ISPs do not need to deploy a separate coaxial cable network to deliver TV. The fiber already being installed for internet service is sufficient — the CATV signal is simply overlaid on it.

How to Choose the Right CATV ONU

The best model depends on four factors: your PON infrastructure type, the expected speed tier, your subscribers' device usage, and your budget per unit.

• Standard GPON network, budget-conscious market → FC2001-T (single GE) or FC2104C-T (Wi-Fi 5, 4 GE)
• GPON/EPON network, premium residential subscribers → FC3104X-T (Wi-Fi 6, 4 GE, USB 3.0)
• XGPON / 10G network, future-proof deployments → FC3124X-T (Wi-Fi 6, 2.5G + 3 GE, XGPON)
• High subscriber density, lots of wireless devices → Always choose Wi-Fi 6 (FC3104X-T or FC3124X-T) — Wi-Fi 6 handles more simultaneous connections with less interference

Frequently Asked Questions