Alcatel-Lucent unveils TWDM-PON

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) says it will offer a line card and complementary optical network terminal (ONT) for its 7360 Intelligent Services Access Manager FX platform that will support time- and wavelength-division multiplexed PON (TWDM-PON). The upgrade will support four wavelengths of 10 Gbps each and should be available in the first quarter of 2015.

The systems provider says it has worked since 2010 with Vodafone to co-develop the technology. The two parties have conducted a TWDM-PON trial as well.

"Individuals and businesses are showing an ever increasing demand for access to high speed data and services across mobile and fixed networks," explained Vodafone's Matt Beal. "TWDM-PON is groundbreaking technology that will give us greater control over network capacity and increased flexibility when provisioning new services. We have worked closely with Alcatel Lucent to develop the technology and we look forward to evaluating it on our network in Spain."

In addition to a system's 40-Gbps capacity, TWDM-PON offers such additional benefits as the ability to deliver different services over each wavelength and to support high-speed dedicated services, according to Alcatel-Lucent (see also "Next gen PON struggles for traction"). TWDM-PON can be implemented on current GPON fiber-optic networks alongside existing services to offer "pay as you grow" capabilities, the company adds.

"TWDM-PON promises a far greater return on investment than previous generations of fiber access technologies," said Julie Kunstler, principal analyst, intelligent networks, with market research and consulting firm Ovum via an Alcatel-Lucent press release. "Its increased capacity and flexibility support more than just higher bandwidth services; it provides the platform for innovative operational and business models, making TWDM-PON extremely interesting to wireline and wireless operators."

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