Calix (NYSE:CALX) has run an NG-PON2 demonstration in a live network with Northpower FIbre in New Zealand. The fiber demo used Calix' E7-2 Modular Access System to deliver throughput of 10 Gbps over multiple wavelengths to 812NG GigaHubs in a business premises and residential home in Whangarei.
NG-PON2 (next generation passive optical network 2) is a standard approved by the ITU in 2015, ITU-T G.989. It uses time and wavelength division multiplexing (TWDM) at 1,524-1,544 nm downstream and 1,596-1,602 nm upstream. It's designed for total network throughput of 40 Gbps (10 Gbps at the customer premises) over existing PON networks by replacing the optical line terminal (OLT) at the central office and optical network unit (ONU) at the customer premises with compliant gear.
"New Zealand is undergoing a major broadband vitalization effort, and we see the emergence of NG-PON2 technology as a major enabler going forward," said Darren Mason, CEO of Northpower Fibre. "As attention in the second phase of UFB shifts from the cities to bring fiber broadband to more rural areas, Northpower Fibre will be leading the way having committed to connect 12 new towns to fiber within the next four years. With Calix as our partner and the AXOS E7-2 supporting the deployment, we have been amazed by how quickly we had jaw-dropping speeds and services up and running. We've shown the world that NG-PON2 is real, and we are excited for all of the new efficiencies and opportunities NG-PON2 will bring to our future business."
Multiple wavelengths on a single fiber can be divided up for use by different service providers, instead of each service provider requiring a separate PON. NG-PON2 enables the isolation of services between the providers, allowing one to make service updates and changes, with no impact on the other providers.