Google Fiber expresses interest in Omaha, faster than 10G services
Google Fiber, in a pair of blogs, has provided an update on its work to support greater than 10-Gbps services on its fiber to the premises (FTTP) networks. It also has revealed plans to bring that FTTP network to Omaha, NE.
In a blog titled “Fast Forward: The future is multi-gig,” Google Fiber CEO Dinni Jain described his company’s research into next-generation PON technology to support what he called “our journey to 100 Gig symmetrical internet.” Dain said Google Fiber has successfully produced downstream services of 20.2 Gbps to the Kansas City home of Nick Saporito, the company’s head of commercial strategy. Dain said the impetus for the work, at least in part, was his belief that increasing competition among service providers will lead to multiple fiber-based broadband options in many markets. With the mere presence of FTTP no longer being a differentiating factor, operators will have to distinguish themselves by the service rates they can offer.
The work comes as Nokia markets a 25G PON system (see, for example, "Nokia offers Lightspan DF-16GM 25G PON OLT in small package") and AT&T has reported achieving symmetrical 20 Gbps using 25G PON technology (see "AT&T demos symmetrical 20-Gbps via 25G PON on production fiber network"). Meanwhile, the IEEE has created specifications for 25G and 50G EPON (see "IEEE 802.3ca 25G/50G-EPON standard approved"). CableLabs has developed initial specifications for a 100-Gbps PON infrastructure based on coherent transmission (see "Cable industry to talk fiber at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo").
The road to Omaha
The next day, Rachel Merlo, head of government and community affairs - Central Region for Google Fiber, revealed the company has filed the necessary paperwork to deploy FTTP in Omaha, NE. Discussion by the Omaha City Council on a license to provide Google Fiber with access to the city’s right of way is expected to begin tomorrow, October 4. Google Fiber hopes to begin FTTP construction early next year. The company will compete with incumbent operators Cox Communications and Lumen.
“With two Google data centers already in the Omaha metro area and another one under construction, Google has been a part of the community for a while. At Google Fiber, we look forward to deepening connections with Omaha’s residents and businesses by providing fast, reliable internet service,” Merlo wrote.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.