WDM-PON: Can it save operators over €10bn in total cost of ownership?

Behind the numbers

Source: ADVA Optical Networking

“The focus of operators to squeeze the last dollar out of the system and optical component vendors is really nonsense.”

Klaus Grobe, ADVA Optical Networking.

Key findings

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of a widely deployed WDM-PON network is at least 20 percent cheaper than the broadband alternatives of VDSL and GPON. Given that the cost of deploying a wide-scale access network in a large western European country is €60bn, a 20 percent cost saving is huge, even if spread over 25 years.

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ECOC 2009: Squeezing optics out of optical communications

Prof. Polina BayvelAn interview with Polina Bayvel, Professor of Optical Communications and Networks and head of the Optical Networks Group at University College London (UCL), on her ECOC conference impressions.

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ECOC 2009: An industry view

One theme dominated all others for attendees at this year’s ECOC, held in Vienna in late September: high speed optical transmission technology.

“Most of the action was in 40 and 100Gig,” said Stefan Rochus, vice president of marketing and business development at CyOptics. “There were many 40Gig/ 100Gig LR4 module announcements- from Finisar, Opnext and Sumitomo Electric Industries.”

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40G and 100G Ethernet: First uses of the high-speed interfaces

Operators, enterprises and equipment vendors are all embracing 100 Gigabit technologies even though the standards will only be completed in June 2010.

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Next-Gen PON: An interview with BT

An interview with Peter Bell, Access Platform Director, BT Innovate & Design on next generation passive optical networks (PONs). These include 10 Gigabit Ethernet PON (EPON) and Gigabit PON (GPON) and wavelength division multiplexing PON (WDM-PON).

Peter Bell, Access Platform Director, BT Innovate & Design

Q: The status of 10 Gigabit PON – 10G EPON and 10G GPON (XG-PON): Applications, where it will be likely be used, and why is it needed?

PB: IEEE 10G EPON: BT not directly involved but we have been tracking it and believe the standard is close to completion  (gazettabyte: The standard was ratified in September 2009.)

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OneChip solution for Fibre-To-The-Home

Jim Hjartarson, CEO of OneChip PhotonicsAn interview with Jim Hjartarson, CEO of OneChip Photonics

Q. In March 2009, OneChip raised $19.5m. How difficult is it nowadays for an optical component firm to receive venture capital funding?

A. Clearly, the venture capital community, given the current macroeconomic environment, is being selective about the new investments it makes in the technology market in general, and photonics in particular.

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