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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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy has covered fiber optics for more than 15 years, and communications and technology for more than 30 years. He is responsible for establishing and executing Lightwave's editorial strategy across its digital magazine, website, newsletters, research and other information products. He has won multiple awards for his writing.
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