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The move to 10G PON from GPON and other PON


A passive optical network (PON) is a fiber-optic telecommunications technology for delivering broadband network access to end-customers. Its architecture implements a point-to-multipoint topology, in which a single optical fiber serves multiple endpoints by using unpowered (passive) fiber optic splitters to divide the fiber bandwidth between multiple access points. Passive optical networks are often referred to as the "last mile" between an Internet service provider (ISP) and its customers.

GPON stands for Gigabit Passive Optical Networks. GPON is a point-to-multi point access mechanism. Its main characteristic is the use of passive splitters in the fibre distribution network, enabling one single feeding fibre from the provider’s central office to serve multiple homes and small businesses.

I first wrote about the GPON standard 12 years back, in 2007. Since then it has evolved and has different flavours.


So while we are still using GPON heavily today, there is already a case being made by vendors like Huawei about why operators need to start investing in 10G PON. This video from Huawei is making case for GPON by showing 10 scenarios where it's needed.



IHS Markit Technology hosted a webinar with Huawei on this very topic.


This slide above makes a case for when 10G PON is needed. Based on the calculations (with caveats of course), if a SP is looking to offer anything above 200 Mbps consistently at home (Fixed Wireless Access) then 10G PON would be required.

Nielsen's Law of Internet Bandwidth is also quoted a few times in the webinar which is another motivator for MNOs to start planning their move to 10G PON. You can read about different Tech Laws for our Industry on 3G4G Blog here.

Anyway, the IHS Markit Webinar is embedded below:



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