Verizon and Calix, the latter one of two companies the former is working with on NG-PON2 technology, say they have achieved “usable” symmetrical 8-Gbps throughput on an NG-PON2 network. The demonstration took place in Florida, where Verizon has started its NG-PON2 roll out using systems from Calix.

NG-PON2, based on ITU-T specifications, is designed to deliver multiple wavelengths of 10 Gbps apiece over the same fiber via a time- and wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network scheme. The approach carries several benefits, including the ability to separate different services by wavelength, enable different service providers to share the same fiber, and increase capacity by bonding wavelengths. NG-PON2 networks also are expected to achieve lower latency than current GPON infrastructures, making them more suitable for support of mobile networks, including 5G.

That said, getting a full 10 Gbps upstream and downstream on a fiber is a challenge, as the collaborators’ touting of 8 Gbps highlights. Nevertheless, Verizon appears happy with the technology.

“The speed and latency gains provided by integrating NG-PON2 standards into our fiber network are only some of the benefits this cutting-edge technology will provide,” said Lee Hicks, vice president of technology development and planning for Verizon. “This new technology will also provide a greater degree of automation in our fiber network, which will help us speed deployment of services to our customers and will introduce a greater leverl of interoperability among network components, which will lead to greater efficiencies.”

The fiber to the premises (FTTP) network used Calix’s E9-2 Intelligent Edge System with the AXOS Routing Protocol module (RPm) for Layer 3 needs and the AXOS Subscriber Management module (SMm).

“The Calix AXOS Intelligent Access Edge Solution collapses the functions of subscriber management, aggregation and OLT into a single system, enabling service providers to move fast by automating and dramatically simplifying operations in their network,” said Michel Langlois, chief development officer from Calix. “In the face of ever-increasing subscriber demand, a simplified network is vital to delivering next-generation services.”