As an important part of the next-generation information infrastructure, each acceleration of broadband networks will bring new services and experience, and add new momentum to the sustainable and high-quality development of the digital economy. Today, the optical industry is moving towards the F5.5G era and entering a new round of inter-generational evolution. For connection services, Huawei focuses on all-optical premium broadband networks and aims to provide users with optimal experience and network construction solutions.
The all-optical premium broadband network continuously improves the broadband value in terms of bandwidth, experience, and network extension, such as ubiquitous 10G access implemented by 50G passive optical network (PON). Currently, 50G PON has become a key technology for operators to build next-generation 10G networks and deliver 10G services. Based on Huawei's all-optical premium broadband networks, 50G PON technology layout and construction are accelerating.
Accelerating upgrade for gigabit optical networks
The upgrade of each generation of fixed network promotes the development of several typical services, such as multimedia web browsing and instant messaging in the copper broadband era, IPTV and video on demand (VOD) in the megabit fiber broadband era, and HD video subscription and live streaming in the gigabit era. In recent years, the data-based digital economy, centered around next-generation information technologies and infrastructure, is becoming the new momentum for global economic growth.
The next-generation optical network not only provides network connections for fixed communications, but also serves as the bearer base for new infrastructure such as 5G, data centers, and the Internet of Things (IoT). In the digital era, the fifth-generation fixed network (F5G) represented by all-optical technologies such as 10G PON have built a foundation for digital economy development.
In fact, the upgrade of each generation of access network focuses on bandwidth improvement. Entering the gigabit era, network applications pose differentiated requirements in addition to bandwidth, such as low latency, high reliability, and hard isolation. Some differentiated requirements can be met by improving the network design and supplementing protocols and specifications. However, it is difficult to meet the end-to-end (E2E) requirements of all new services in all scenarios. Issues such as inconsistent experience and uncontrollable risks remain unresolved.
The evolution from F5G to F5.5G replaces gigabit optical networks with 10G optical networks, extending network coverage and building digital infrastructure highways. Against this backdrop, core broadband technologies represented by 50G PON will further promote the development of broadband optical access and usher in the 10G era.
Implementation of the first commercial 50G PON solution: Technical innovation for smooth evolution
From a macro perspective, PON evolves once every 8 to 10 years. Currently, gigabit broadband based on the 10G PON fiber access technology has become the mainstream. Compared with 10G PON, 50G PON increases the bandwidth fivefold and features low latency, low jitter, and high reliability. Based on the high bandwidth, low latency, and high computing power, 50G PON can provide ultimate service experience and bring more new applications and services to meet typical application requirements in fields such as digital homes, industry digital transformation, and city digital infrastructure in the 10G era.
As a leader in the optical access field, Huawei has been continuously engaged in 50G PON development. In 2019, Huawei completed the industry's first technical prototype test. Besides, Huawei completed the first live-network application verification of 50G PON in 2022. At MWC 2023, Huawei officially released the industry's first commercial 50G PON solution, providing operators with industry-leading fast upgrade to 10G networks.
In addition to meeting service upgrade requirements, 50G PON needs to focus on operators' requirements on network investment and live-network user migration. Smooth broadband network evolution can protect existing investment, meet differentiated requirements of different consumer groups, and reduce the impact on the existing access modes and access users.
Huawei's 50G PON solution supports the industry-leading 32 dB optical power budget and has the same optical path performance as GPON/10G PON on the live network. This means that 50G PON can be directly deployed on the live-network ODN without changing or redeploying the network infrastructure that accounts for more than 70% of the investment, achieving zero ODN changes.
In terms of compatibility, Huawei's 50G PON solution is compatible with GPON and 10G PON. An optical module on a board supports coexistence of three generations of PON. During network upgrade, 500 million GPON/10G PON users on the live network are not affected. Users can upgrade terminals as required after one-time network deployment, achieving smooth service evolution.
Huawei's 50G PON service boards can be directly deployed on existing OLTs, helping operators quickly introduce 10G access capabilities at the lowest cost. Currently, mainstream operators covering 70% of global fiber to the home (FTTH) users have chosen 50G PON for the next-generation PON evolution. Huawei's 50G PON solution can meet the development requirements of 10G services in all scenarios and help operators build a 10G all-optical access base.
Ushering in the F5.5G Era: Road to 50G PON based on 10G optical networks
In 2022, Huawei proposed the F5.5G initiative to upgrade the three features of F5G: 10-fold bandwidth upgrade from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, industrial-grade performance with microsecond-level latency, and 10-fold improvement in energy efficiency through electrical-to-optical transformation. In addition, Huawei put forward new research directions such as communication and sensing convergence that supports meter-level positioning. In the upcoming 10G era, although no service requires exponential bandwidth growth in the short term, further analysis shows that higher bandwidth is a must for meeting differentiated requirements and improving service experience.
Currently, Huawei has cooperated with 30 world-leading operators, including three tier-1 operators in China, to fully verify the feasibility and maturity of 50G PON application in different live network conditions.
As Richard Jin, President of Huawei Optical Business Product Line, pointed out, Huawei will work with industry partners to quickly promote the commercial implementation and deployment of 50G PON, continuously build ubiquitous optical connections, and accelerate the construction of a fully connected, intelligent world.
