Practical Deployment of Passive Optical Networks

This article describes several real deployments of passive optical networks (PONs, the most common form of fiber to the home, FTTH) in several parts of the world, some with incumbent providers, some with other entities. The networks and service models are described, along with initial experiences with providing service. PON describes a technology whereby video, voice, and data can be delivered to residential and business customers using fiber optics from the point of origination to the home. The point of origination is called a central office, or CO, in the telephone industry, and a headend or hub in the cable TV industry. The headend is the master point where all signals are collected for the subscriber interface in both directions. The hub is a secondary location that interfaces with the headend, and then radiates connections out to subscribers.