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
Maximizing cloud potential: Building and operating an effective Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE)
September 10, 2024Radical Automation of ITSM
September 19, 2024Unleash the power of the browser to secure any device in minutes
September 24, 2024