Alcatel-Lucent is looking to bring down the cost of TWDM-PON (Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Networks) by allowing different types of optics to be used. Currently, TWDM-PON requires new optics capable of providing four tunable 10 Gbps wavelengths.
Alcatel-Lucent’s new ‘Universal TWDM’ solution enables operators to initially deploy one non-tunable 10 Gbps wavelength and easily add more pluggable as demand grows, providing a smooth upgrade to full TWDM without the need to replace network components, evaluate new technology, or reconfigure operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS).
“The primary obstacle for deploying new ultra-broadband infrastructure and services is the business case. Universal TWDM is Alcatel-Lucent’s innovative solution to this challenge. We are enabling operators to build upon their existing fiber investments while bringing down the total cost of ownership of TWDM technology. This means they can immediately address new high-revenue opportunities for gigabit services while knowing that their investment is future-proof,” stated Federico Guillén, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Fixed Access Business Line.
The company noted that Universal TWDM and full TWDM-PON can co-exist with current PON technology. Alcaltel-Lucent also estimates that Universal TWDM will have a similar cost as established 10 Gbps technologies, such as XG-PON.
- In October 2014, Alcatel-Lucent introduced the industry’s first TWDM-PON (Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Networks), a new fixed, ultra-broadband access technology for scaling the capacity of existing fiber networks. TWDM-PON uses four wavelengths per fiber, giving a total capacity of 40 Gbps. An operator can choose to deliver different services over each wavelength, enabling residential, business and mobile backhaul services to be carried over a single fiber. TWDM-PON technology is supported by Alcatel-Lucent‘s 7360 Intelligent Services Access Manager FX solution. The company is introducing a new 4-port TWDM-PON line card and optical network unit supporting 10Gbps symmetrical bitrate. Products will be available in the first quarter of 2015. Alcatel-Lucent and Vodafone have been co-developing TWDM-PON since 2010 as a potential successor to GPON. During this time, the companies have contributed to its standardization and completed a successful trial. Significantly, TWDM-PON can co-exist with current PON systems.
