ITU brings Gigabit to your doorstep
All optical networks a step closer

Geneva, 31 January 2003 — Two new standards from ITU will allow service-providers to offer a raft of new services. In its capacity as world leader in optical network standards, ITU has agreed today on protocols for Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (G-PONs) that are a further step towards all-optical networks. PON technology is used in the local loop to connect residential and SME end users premises in an all-fibre network. 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 and widely adopted G.983 series Recommendations relating to Broadband PONs, by providing unprecedented network capacity. Increasing capacity to gigabit levels should more than satisfy foreseeable customer demands. G-PON maintains the same optical distribution network, wavelength plan and full-service network design principles of G.983. As well as allowing for increased network capacity, the new standard offers more efficient IP and Ethernet handling.

All optical networks will allow service-providers to deliver applications such as video-on-demand, streamed video, on-line games and voice over IP. With PONs, signals are carried by lasers and sent to their appropriate destination without the need for active electronics. By eliminating the dependence on expensive active network elements, carriers can realize significant savings. PON technology is used in the local loop to connect end user premises in an all fiber network, offering customers video applications, high-speed Internet access, multimedia and other high-bandwidth capabilities.

"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" said Peter Wery, Chairman of ITU-T Study Group 15.

The standards are known as ITU-T Recommendations G.984.1 and G.984.2. G.984.1 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 Gbit/s and 2.5 Gbit/s in the downstream (Central Office to customer) direction and 155 Mbit/s, 622 Mbit/s, 1.5 Gbit/s and 2.5 Gbit/s in the upstream (customer to Central Office) direction. 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.

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