Verizon, Calix tout 8 Gbps via NG-PON2

Oct. 30, 2018
Verizon and Calix, the latter one of two companies the former is working with on NG-PON2 technology (ADTRAN is the other), say they have achieved “usable” symmetrical 8-Gbps throughput on an NG-PON2 network. The demonstration took place in Florida, where Verizon has started its NG-PON2 roll out using systems from Calix.

Verizon and Calix, the latter one of two companies the former is working with on NG-PON2 technology (ADTRAN is the other), say they have achieved “usable” symmetrical 8-Gbps throughput on an NG-PON2 network. The demonstration took place in Florida, where Verizon has started its NG-PON2 roll out using systems from Calix (see “Verizon to deploy Calix AXOS E9-2 this quarter as part of NG-PON2 rollout”).

NG-PON2, based on ITU-T specifications, is designed to deliver multiple wavelengths of 10 Gbps apiece over the same fiber via a time- and wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (TWDM-PON) scheme. The approach carries several benefits, including the ability to separate different services by wavelength, enable different service providers to share the same fiber, and increase capacity by bonding wavelengths. NG-PON2 networks also are expected to achieve lower latency than current GPON infrastructures, making them more suitable for support of mobile networks, including 5G.

That said, getting a full 10 Gbps upstream and downstream on a fiber is a challenge, as the collaborators’ touting of 8 Gbps highlights. Nevertheless, Verizon appears happy with the technology.

“The speed and latency gains provided by integrating NG-PON2 standards into our fiber network are only some of the benefits this cutting-edge technology will provide,” said Lee Hicks, vice president of technology development and planning for Verizon. “This new technology will also provide a greater degree of automation in our fiber network, which will help us speed deployment of services to our customers and will introduce a greater level of interoperability among network components, which will lead to greater efficiencies.”

The fiber to the premises (FTTP) network used Calix’s E9-2 Intelligent Edge System with the AXOS Routing Protocol module (RPm) for Layer 3 needs and the AXOS Subscriber Management module (SMm).

“The Calix AXOS Intelligent Access Edge Solution collapses the functions of subscriber management, aggregation and OLT into a single system, enabling service providers to move fast by automating and dramatically simplifying operations in their network,” said Michel Langlois, chief development officer from Calix. “In the face of ever-increasing subscriber demand, a simplified network is vital to delivering next-generation services.”

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