Vodafone and Nokia have successfully completed laboratory testing of a new passive optical network (PON) technology that could deliver 100 Gbps broadband speeds across Europe by the end of the decade. PON is used for the last mile of a broadband connection, connecting businesses and homes (as well as mobile infrastructure) to the Internet at large. This basically describes the fiber optic connection between a house, a cabinet, and a central office.
Vodafone Nokia 100G PON
The technology used by engineers at Nokia and Vodafone, predictably called 100G PON, uses only one optical wavelength and is based on a modular architecture. This means upgrades can be applied incrementally and without digging up streets. The two companies say speed advances could enable futuristic applications similar to "Internet teleportation." It is believed that the healthcare, education, retail and entertainment industries may be particularly interested in the technology as it could transform human communication. For example, it might be possible to touch or smell an object from a distance using sensory technology or to share a meal with a 3D holographic family member. Businesses will also benefit from increased bandwidth to meet their needs. While 100G PON won't be available for several years, Vodafone is already rolling out 10G PON across its European footprint. Openreach does the same for its fiber optic network in the UK. “Today's technological advancement supports Vodafone's strategy to prepare our African and European networks to meet the inevitable growth in demand for faster, more responsive and immersive internet services,” said Johan Wilbergh, Vodafone CTO. “We continue to focus on current customer needs, such as expanding broadband to rural communities, supporting learning at work and at home, and equipping smart factories, while keeping an eye on the market.”