The NG-PON2 Technology Forum, established this past April to promote the adoption of the next-generation fiber to the premises (FTTP) technology, has announced its board of directors. The group includes representatives from both the service provider and technology development communities.
NG-PON2, based on the ITU-T G.989 series of recommendations, supports delivery of multiple wavelengths, each capable of symmetrical 10-Gbps transmission in the current generation of systems (see "ITU-T approves XGS-PON, amends NG-PON2 specifications"). Alongside XGS-PON, which supports only one wavelength of symmetrical 10 Gbps, NG-PON2 offers an upgrade path for current GPON FTTP fiber-optic broadband access networks.
The NG-PON2 Technology Forum's mission undoubtedly received a boost when Verizon announced that it was moving toward final lab trials of the technology with a pair of potential suppliers (see "Verizon narrows NG-PON2 choices to Ericsson/Calix and ADTRAN"). Not surprisingly, the forum's board includes a director from Verizon. The full roster includes:
- President and Founder Bernd Hesse, team lead, engagement practices for Access, Mobile Backhaul and Transport Networks at Ericsson
- Director Vincent O'Byrne,director of Verizon's FTTP Architecture and Design Group
- Director and Co-founder Michael Horn,vice president of strategic alliances for Calix
- Director Bruno Cornaglia,fixed access senior manager for the Vodafone Group.
- Director Jun-ichi Kani,senior research engineer, supervisor, and Distinguished Researcher in NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories of NTT Corp.
- Director Paulo Mão-Cheia,head of Unit GPON, FTTx and QoS Probing at Altice Labs
- Director Robert Conger,associate vice president for cloud and portfolio strategy at ADTRAN.
The board has issued an open call to operators, technologists, suppliers, and their companies to join the non-profit, volunteer organization. Membership benefits include exposure to technology innovators, the opportunity to share ideas with their peers, and the chance to help steer and optimize the adoption of NG-PON2 technologies, according to the board. While there is no cost to join, members may be asked attend industry events where the NG-PON2 Forum will participate.
Those interested in more information may contact Hesse at [email protected].
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