KT signs supplier MoU for GiGA Wire gigabit copper technology

Korean telecommunications company KT has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with five communications technology suppliers for international sales of GiGA Wire technology. GiGA Wire is among several emerging options to support broadband over copper-based infrastructure.

KT collaborated with Korean small and medium enterprises to develop GiGA Wire, which leverages the ITU-T G.996x (G.hn) standard. The upcoming GiGA 2.0 version of the technology will support transmission of up to 1 Gbps through copper wires such as telephone lines, coaxial cables, power lines, and UTP cables when it becomes available in the second half of this year, KT says. The technology requires only two-pair copper connections to support gigabit speeds.

The first version of the technology, which supports 600 Mbps, has been commercially available since last year. KT says it already has exported the technology to Spain and Turkey.

KT and fellow MoU signees Marvell, Ubiquoss, Dasan Networks, Lightworks, and Dongwon T&I will market GiGA Wire as an option for in-building applications, particularly in combination with fiber to the building (FTTB) deployments. It will compete with G.fast and the upcoming MoCA Access offerings for the attention of services providers.

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