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Global
News
February
21, 2003
ITU
brings Gigabit to your doorstep
GENEVA -- The ITU has recently agreed on protocols for
Gigabit-capable passive optical networks (G-PONs) that
are a further step toward all-optical networks. PON
connects residential and SME user premises in an all
fiber network within the local loop. By eliminating
the dependence on expensive active network elements,
the use of PON enables carriers to make significant
savings.
The new standards build on the existing G.983 series
recommendations for broadband PONs, providing unprecedented
network capacity. G-PON maintains the same optical distribution
network, wavelength plan and full-service network design
principles of G.983. Besides permitting an increase
in the network capacity, it also offers more efficient
IP and Ethernet handling.
All optical networks will allow service-providers to
deliver applications such as VoD, streamed video, on-line
games and VoIP. PONs allow carrying signals by lasers
to their destinations. By eliminating the dependence
on expensive active network elements, carriers can realize
significant savings. PON connects end user premises
in an all fiber network, offering customers video applications,
high-speed Internet access, multimedia and other high-bandwidth
capabilities within the local loop.
Peter Wery, Chairman of ITU-T Study Group 15, said:
"These new recommendations represent an evolutionary
development of the basic PON standard (G.983.1). They
provide a very significant increase in speed whilst
largely maintaining the basic, PON based broadband optical
access system requirements of G.983.1 to ensure maximum
continuity with existing systems and optical fibre infrastructure."
Known as G.984.1 and G.984.2, the former standard describes
the general characteristics of a Gigabit-capable PON
system such as architecture, bit rates, reach, signal
transfer delay, split ratio protection and security.
G.984.2 describes a flexible optical fibre access network
capable of supporting the bandwidth requirements of
business and residential services. It covers systems
with nominal line rates of 1.25 Gbps and 2.5Gbps in
the downstream (central office to customer) and 155Mbps,
622Mbps, 1.5Gbps and 2.5Gbps in the upstream (customer
to central office). This represents approximately twice
the capability of the previous release of the standards
(G.983.4 and G.983.5). Both standards cover symmetrical
and asymmetrical (upstream/downstream) systems.
Contact:
International Telecommunications Union
Tel: +41-22-730-5235
Email: pressinfo@itu.int
Web: www.itu.int
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