Nokia and Vodafone have successfully trialled a new passive optical network (PON) technology capable of delivering speeds up to 100Gb/s on a single wavelength.
The trial took place in Vodafone’s Eschborn lab in Germany as part of a long-standing collaboration between the two companies to accelerate the potential of fibre broadband. To deliver 100Gb/s on a single wavelength, Nokia Bell Labs leveraged 25G optics in combination with state-of-the-art digital signal processing (DSP) techniques.
Flexible rate transmission works by grouping fibre modems (ONUs) that exhibit similar physical network characteristics (such as loss or dispersion) and makes data transmission more efficient. Using flexible rate transmission results in lower latency on a PON while also cutting power consumption.
Gavin Young, Vodafone’s head of fixed access centre of excellence, said: ‘100G PON has 40 times the capacity of today’s GPON networks, and 10 times the capacity of XGS-GPON, so it will help us keep ahead of the demand curve. 100G PON enables flexible rates, and works by grouping modems using a technique similar to the one we already use in our cable networks, so this experience can help us to better evaluate and exploit this new PON technology.’
Stefaan Vanhastel, chief technology officer, fixed networks division at Nokia added: ‘We keep pushing the potential of fibre access so that capacity stays ahead of the unrelenting demand of the connected world. In 2020, we launched the first commercial 25G PON solution. Now, we’re delighted to show state-of-the-art 100G technology together with Vodafone.’
Peter Vetter, head of access and devices research at Nokia Bell Labs, commented: ‘For the first time, we show a unique flexible rate capability that allows optimising capacity depending on the link losses and low-cost optical component capabilities in an optical network termination. We believe fibre will play a key role in 5G and 6G, and that is why we are truly excited about the 100G PON demo, and its potential in creating the future of fibre broadband.’
