Has The Time For PON Arrived?
Maturing standards and new market conditions are creating an environment that is ready for passive optical networks.
July 2, 2004
![Network Computing logo Network Computing logo](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltde8121fc52c5c8f3/blt3f3d0318f746b1c2/65a530e4187606040a1d8b8c/placeholder.png?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale)
As market demand for broadband services continues to expand, vendors are rolling out Passive Optical Networking (PON) solutions to deliver higher-bandwidth connections to homes and businesses in the U.S. and abroad. More importantly, synergy between Ethernet and PON is leading to renewed interest in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) deployments. Ethernet passive optical networks (EPON) are catching on as an emerging access network technology that provides a low-cost method of deploying optical access lines between a carrier's central office (CO) and a customer site.
On the global market front, the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) approval of protocol-agnostic G-PON (Gigabit PON) standards using GFP (generic framing protocol), has also given the technology a shot in the arm by ending a debate over the relative merits of ATM-PON (APON) vs. Ethernet-PON. Service providers can now use the technology that best suits their needs for specific networks or markets.
As a result of these developments, analysts at Probe Research are projecting demand for PON to grow at a 39.3 percent compound annual growth rate through 2008. Network equipment manufacturers are responding by developing technology to address the market opportunity. Among the more recent moves:
Centillium Communications announced late last month a collaboration with Japanese firm OF Networks Co., Ltd. to develop gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (GE-PON). The two firms initially are targeting FTTP applications for Japanese network and service providers. Plans call for OF to deliver GE-PON equipment based on Centillium's two EPON system-on-a-chip solutions: Colt and Mustang. The two processors provide an end-to-end solution for optical network units and optical line terminals.
IP access networking services firm UTStarcom also has recently announced a suite GE-PON products. The firm's carrier-class BBS 1000 family includes an optical line termination (OLT) system for the central office, providing a direct optical interface to the Ethernet/IP network core.Report: Ethernet Momentum To Push Fiber Growth
The growing momentum of Ethernet usage in the enterprise is propelling much of the boom in fiber that, in turn, will propel a 37 percent compound annual growth rate of fiber-access networks, according to a new study.
Optical-network testing and, ultimately, deployment are making wide-scale grid computing an attractive reality for the enterprise.
Passive Optical Networks
PONs reduce the deployment and installation costs of fiber.
DEEP BACKGROUND
Widening the Grid - Utility PipelineGrid Confusion - Utility Pipeline
Search The TechWeb Network
Get TechEncyclopedia Definitions
You May Also Like