Telecompetitor Arches

Verizon NG-PON2 Field Trial Sets Stage for FiOS Multi-Gigabit Access Services

verizon logoVerizon’s continued testing of next-generation PON technologies for FiOS continues, with news of a NG-PON2 trial, which delivered Internet download and upload speeds of up to 10-Gbps per wavelength. Verizon sees NG-PON2 as a platform to deliver multi-gigabit-speed broadband access services for FiOS customers as the market demands and the technology matures, according to a company press release.

Verizon is no stranger to field testing next-generation PON technology on its FiOS platform. As far back as 2010, Verizon was testing 10 Gbps connections using XG-PON technology. NG-PON2 is now the next generation PON FTTP standard, improving the XG-PON standard, and capable of total network throughput of 40 Gbps. That’s a tremendous improvement over the widely deployed GPON FTTP technology, which offers only 2.5 Gbps of shared throughput – hardly capable of delivering in today’s gigabit-to-the-home access arena.

Verizon NG-PON2 Field Trial
Using NG-PON2 (next-generation passive optical networking), Verizon tested adding new colors of light onto existing fiber optic cabling. Each additional color of light added as much as 10-Gbps to its carrying capacity. The test took place at Verizon’s central office in Framingham, Massachusetts following extensive testing in its labs in Waltham.

Verizon researchers installed a new optical line terminal (OLT) at the Framingham labs. The new OLT generated four wavelengths, or colors, of light. Each one was able to carry network signals at 10Gbps download/2.5Gbps upload. Symmetric download/upload speeds of 10 Gbps per color are envisioned for the future, Verizon noted.

In one test, NG-PON2 signals were sent over an optic fiber serving GPON customers. That proved that NG-PON2 can transmit GPON and NG-PON2 on the same fiber, Verizon noted.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/EDCt2OJHdEs[/youtube]

Verizon researchers also validated important automated network correction features of NG-PON2. Simulating a fault in central office equipment, the customer-side ONT automatically tuned in to another wavelength, thereby enabling network transmission to continue at its normal 10-Gbps rate.

Verizon said it will issue a request for proposal (RFP) in order to buy hardware and software for the new NG-PON2 platform. Initially Verizon expects the new FTTP networks will be most attractive to business customers. Demand will expand as 4K video becomes more common and the ¨Internet of Things¨ continues to expand.

Network vendors including Calix, ADTRAN, and Alcatel-Lucent, among others, are actively developing NG-PON2 platforms.

“The advantage of our FiOS network is that it can be upgraded easily by adding electronics onto the fiber network that is already in place,¨ Hicks pointed out. ¨Deploying this exciting new technology sets a new standard for the broadband industry and further validates our strategic choice of fiber-to-the-premises.”

SIMILAR STORIES

Speedometer
White Paper Assesses Technologies for the Future of Broadband
Learn more about this post
Telecompetitor Arches
Metronet Begins Construction on Fiber Network in Bolingbrook, Illinois
Learn more about this post
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Fiber-Only BEAD Pool Application Window Opens
Learn more about this post