Operators, vendors combine to create 25GS-PON MSA

Oct. 12, 2020

The group hopes to step in where the ITU-T SG15/Q2 could not – creating consensus on a standardized approach to symmetrical 25G-PON operation within the GPON domain.

Stephen Hardy

Chorus of New Zealand, Chunghwa Telecom, and Australian National Broadband Network overseer NBN Co. have joined with seven technology suppliers to create the 25G Symmetric PON Multi-Source Agreement (25GS-PON MSA). The group hopes to step in where the ITU-T SG15/Q2 could not – creating consensus on a standardized approach to symmetrical 25G-PON operation within the GPON domain.

The IEEE recently ratified specifications for both 25G and 50G PON under IEEE 802.3ca. The 25GS-PON MSA members say they have leveraged the IEEE’s work to create their own specification, which marries the IEEE specs with a Transmission Convergence (TC) layer that is an extension of XGS-PON.

Joining Chorus, Chunghwa Telecom, and NBN Co. in the effort are AOI, Ciena, MACOM, MaxLinear, Nokia, Sumitomo Electric Industries, and Tibit Communications.

“25-gigabit symmetric PON is an important next-step and a natural evolution for fiber networks, especially since it leverages existing technologies,” commented Julie Kunstler, principal analyst at Omdia, via an MSA press release. “Numerous operators are interested in 25GS-PON, for use in 5G transport as well as enterprise and business services. Establishing an MSA to bring this technology to market demonstrates innovation, leadership, and customer-centric market awareness on the part of its members.”

More information, including the initial specification set, are available from the MSA’s website.

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About the Author

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.