Nov 2 2010
Alcatel-Lucent, a company specializing in broadband networking, IP and optics technologies, has begun testing the symmetrical 10 Gbps broadband service connections that are delivered across gigabit passive optical networks (GPON). The company is carrying out the test with Verizon and Portugal Telecom.
Portugal Telecom has already conducted the broadband tests at 10 Gbps, while Verizon has successfully carried out field trials using the XG-PON2 fiber-optic transmission technology. The XG-PON2 technology can deliver 10 Gbps, both downstream and upstream.
The speed availability in both downstream and upstream will gain prominence when new applications such as mobile traffic backhaul, remote storage and cloud computing services emerge. Verizon’s field trials were carried out in Taunton, Massachusetts. The field trials employed the XG-PON2 technology and utilized the same kind of fiber-optic used in current FiOS network connection. The resultant upstream speeds were eight times quicker than the speeds achieved by conventional GPON technology.
Verizon’s Director of Technology, Vincent O'Byrne stated that new applications will drive the use of upstream bandwidth on the wireline network. He added that asymmetric applications such as remote computing, remote file storage and telemedicine will also drive the demand for upstream bandwidth requirement.