The Alcatel ISAM 7356, also known as the 7356 ISAM FTTB REM, is part of the wider ISAM (Intelligent Services Access Manager) family originally developed by Alcatel, later Alcatel-Lucent, and eventually incorporated into Nokia’s fixed access portfolio. Designed for Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) and Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) deployments, it served as a remote access extension that bridged high-speed fibre backhaul with copper-based ‘last-mile’ connections.

At a time when operators sought to extend fibre deeper into their access networks without replacing every existing copper segment, the 7356 provided a highly practical solution. It enabled telecoms providers to distribute DSL (including VDSL2), voice and Ethernet services from centralised fibre aggregation points into smaller, localised nodes—modernising access networks while maximising the use of existing infrastructure.

Historical Development

The ISAM product line emerged in the early 2000s as part of Alcatel’s strategy to modernise access networks under a unified management and hardware framework capable of supporting both copper and optical technologies. Within this strategy, the 7356 was introduced to fill the gap between central DSLAM nodes and customer premises equipment. Acting as a remote expansion module, it was particularly well suited to dense urban environments and multi-dwelling units (MDUs) where fibre could reach the building but not necessarily each individual subscriber line.

Carritech’s records note that Alcatel developed the 7356 between the early 2000s and 2006 as part of its FTTB/FTTN solution set. It represented an important step in bringing fibre-powered broadband closer to the customer without requiring a complete replacement of existing copper infrastructure.

Product Design and Role

The ISAM 7356 was built as a compact 19-inch, three-slot chassis, ideal for installation in basements, street cabinets or equipment rooms close to subscriber premises. It often functioned as a ‘line card extension’ to a host ISAM device such as the 7330 ISAM FTTN or Remote Aggregator. This design reduced the need for full aggregation hardware at every site, thereby lowering both capital and operational expenditure.

In some configurations, the unit could operate in a standalone mode with limited control capabilities, allowing for flexible deployment depending on the operator’s network design.

Technical Evolution

Early versions of the 7356 supported a combination of VDSL2, multi-ADSL, voice modules and point-to-point Ethernet for both subscriber access and backhaul. As broadband technologies advanced, the platform evolved to include enhancements such as vectoring and pair bonding, which improved DSL performance and speeds. Many of these capabilities were introduced through firmware and line card upgrades, extending the lifespan and competitiveness of the platform.

Software updates also kept the 7356 aligned with evolving ISAM management tools and operational frameworks such as ALMA, ensuring smooth integration with wider network management systems.

Deployment and Use Cases

The ISAM 7356 found particular success in urban and MDU environments where running fibre to every apartment was prohibitively expensive. In these cases, the device could terminate fibre connections within a building and distribute services via existing copper wiring. In suburban FTTN networks, it often acted as a remote node extension, enabling shorter copper loops and faster DSL speeds for nearby homes.

By connecting back to a host ISAM shelf—typically a 7330 or similar system—the 7356 allowed operators to centralise aggregation while maintaining flexible, remote service delivery. This architecture offered significant savings in power, space and maintenance.

Technical Architecture

The standard 7356 chassis provides two line terminal slots for DSL or Ethernet line cards, and an additional slot for splitter or distribution modules. Depending on configuration, it can support 48 or 96 ports, effectively functioning as a ‘mini-MSAN’ for small-scale deployments.

It delivers DSL-based broadband (VDSL2, vectoring, ADSL and bonding), traditional voice services via POTS modules, and Ethernet backhaul capabilities—all managed under the same ISAM software base. Through this unified control platform, operators could manage remote 7356 units as seamlessly as central ISAM nodes.

Limitations and Transition

Despite its flexibility, the 7356 had inherent limitations. Its limited backplane capacity and compact chassis meant it was never intended to replace full aggregation nodes or large MSAN systems. Instead, it served as an intermediate step, ideal for transitional deployments during the gradual move from copper to fibre.

As fibre technologies such as GPON and XGS-PON became more cost-effective and widespread, the 7356’s role naturally diminished. Operators increasingly favoured full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) rollouts, leading to a steady decline in new deployments of copper-terminating ISAM units.

Integration into Nokia’s Portfolio

Following Alcatel’s merger with Alcatel-Lucent and its subsequent acquisition by Nokia, the 7356 became part of Nokia’s fixed access product line. Nokia continued to support it within its IP access catalogue, providing documentation and lifecycle services for operators maintaining legacy systems.

Legacy and Continued Relevance

Although most new access networks today are fully fibre-based, the 7356 remains in service across many brownfield networks where copper still plays a role. It continues to support hybrid or transitional architectures where DSL is used as a bridge technology while fibre expansion progresses.

For companies maintaining older infrastructure, the 7356 remains an important component within the repair, maintenance and spare parts ecosystem. Carritech continues to support this model as part of its legacy ISAM and ASAM hardware portfolio, ensuring operators can extend the life of their existing assets.

Summary

Le Alcatel ISAM 7356 was developed to extend the reach of fibre-based services while leveraging the existing copper access network. Acting as a remote expansion module, it allowed telecoms operators to modernise service delivery in urban and multi-dwelling environments efficiently. Over time, upgrades such as vectoring and bonding helped maintain its relevance, but as full-fibre solutions became the industry standard, its role shifted towards legacy maintenance and support.

Even today, the 7356 stands as a testament to a key transitional phase in broadband evolution — a bridge between the copper past and the fibre future.