Alcatel-Lucent Combines TDM, WDM, PON

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU) is launching a TWDM-PON (time and wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network) solution. The new fixed access technology is intended to allow operators to increase the capacity of existing fiber networks. Alcatel-Lucent and Vodafone have been engaged in co-development of TWDM-PON since 2010 to test potential deployment scenarios for the technology.

TWDM-PON uses four wavelengths per fiber, for a design capacity of 40 Gbps, and is designed to enable an operator to deliver different services over each wavelength. It's designed to co-exist with current PON technology, with each fiber configured to enable services ranging from a few megabits-per-second up to 10 Gbps. Products are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015.