January 18, 2006 Petaluma, CA -- Teknovus and Japanese telecom carrier KDDI have introduced their Next Generation Ethernet passive optical network (NGEPON) roadmap, which specifies bandwidth up to 10 Gbit/sec. The companies say the development program is driven by bandwidth-intensive IPTV services that carriers will be introducing in the near future.
With the announcement, the companies say that progressive operators targeting the IPTV and "triple play"markets can confidently build 1-Gbit/sec EPON networks today, knowing that a roadmap allowing migration to higher-speed NGEPON is in place.
"There is worldwide interest in the PON community for the next generation of EPON, especially from carriers who demand smooth upgrades to their current EPON investments," comments Dr. Rex Naden, CEO of Teknovus. "The need is clear, cost-effective technology is available, and the first products based on higher speed NGEPON will be announced during 2006."
"KDDI already is deploying 1-Gbit/sec EPON in Japan. Our exciting triple-play service offering is attracting customers as fast as we can roll out the service," adds Mr. Shigeo Morita, senior manager of KDDI's Terminal System Development unit. "At the same time, we recognize that Ethernet technology and customer needs will not stand still, and we will in the future have the capability to offer even more advanced IPTV and other services to the broader customer base. In this case it is critical that the next generation products be compatible with our installed base to minimize additional cost and maximize revenue. We believe the NGEPON roadmap will meet these objectives. Further, we plan for Teknovus and other semiconductor vendors to supply interoperable NGEPON chipsets to keep costs down and keep our options open."
According to the companies, numerous carriers, equipment manufacturers, and semiconductor and optical component vendors have expressed support for the NGEPON platform.
"EPON and NGEPON will dominate the PON market," predicts Dr. Lowell D. Lamb, vice president of marketing for Teknovus. "Ethernet began in the enterprise, but rapidly has won acceptance in the metro and access markets, due to the ubiquity of IP. This trend continues in the most rapidly growing market of all, namely optical access. NGEPON will carry on Ethernet's tradition of simplicity, low cost, and high volume."