Passive-Optical-Network- (PON-) Based Converged Access Network [Invited]

This paper describes an evolution of passive optical network (PON) technology deployment, which has primarily focused on residential markets, with triple play services consisting of voice, data and video, towards the support of a high value Ethernet and optical business services, with a vision of having a converged PON-based access network for all residential and business services. Business services, including wireless backhaul, are key components of a service provider portfolio, and use of the PON centric access network allows for more optimized deployment of these services. The paper also presents architectural approaches for supporting various types of business services over a PON-based fiber-to-the-premises network.