IEEE has declared the introduction of a study group to explore a new Physical Layer (PHY) standard for operating the Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) protocol clearly over coaxial distribution networks. This new IEEE 802.3 EPON Protocol over Coax (EPoC) Study Group will investigate using the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet specifications to develop and advance the Ethernet capabilities in current access networks.
IEEE 802.3 EPON is an advanced fiber-access technology, and has supplied more ports when compared to any other IEEE 802.3 technology over a decade, with global operations assisting more than 60 M existing subscribers, expecting to increase it to 100M by the end of 2013. These systems maintain a varied suite of business and residential services such as VoIP (Voice-over-IP), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), mobile backhaul and commercial-grade data services. The IEEE 802.3 EPON specifications include asymmetric data rates of 10 Gb/s downstream and 1 Gb/s upstream and symmetric data rates of 1 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s. In several places, fiber stops at the basement, street, or curb with coaxial cable covering the rest of the distance to the subscriber, a specific percentage of whom are in tenant or multiple dwelling units. This new effort will cater to the need of cable operators, who require an end-to-end Ethernet network, are compatible with sophisticated services like video-over-IP.
The IEEE 802.3 EPoC study comprises network equipment suppliers, components vendors, cable operators, and MSOs, investigating the market demand, network compatibility, and current technologies for a PHY specification in employing the IEEE 802.3 EPON protocol over coaxial distribution networks. This study group will have meet first in January 2012, anticipating the completion of the investigation by July 2012.