Multi-gigabit services are in demand everywhere. As operators increasingly deploy fiber network infrastructure to accommodate growing customer demand, customer premise equipment (CPE) must evolve to meet both high-capacity requirements and seamless management of performance across all of the Wi-Fi connected devices found in the home.
10G Symmetrical Passive Optical Network (XGS-PON) is a means to deliver 10G bandwidth to users connected to fiber. As a result, Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) must evolve to meet next-level capacity and quality requirements of XGS-PON. The volume of ONTs deployed in the access network and the cost to install and upgrade that equipment means that customer ONTs delivering next-generation services need to accommodate growth without replacement.
CPE that is proven to enable multi-gig services at higher rates, even if those rates aren’t yet available, means that operators will not have to replace ONTs to deliver future services, reducing capital expenditures and improving time-to-market for new services.
Finally, Fiber
Since Verizon announced FIOS in 2005 and Google Fiber launched in 2016, residential customers have been waiting for broadband services delivered over fiber. While other options exist, none have proven as reliable fiber for delivering high-speed broadband services. As fiber network construction continues, various estimates show the fiber-to-the-home/business (FTTx) market doubling during the next decade. While fiber networks have existed for many years, installation of fiber to individual buildings and residences has been accelerating as demand for video streaming, cloud services and data-heavy applications has soared.
As fiber becomes a more dominant player in the access network, the CPE required to connect individuals and businesses must be both capable and flexible. As users push to take full advantage of fiber networks, the CPE becomes more complex. Whole-home Wi-Fi networks and the ability to configure and manage those networks becomes much more important. For the past 30 years operators have installed Passive Optical Networks (PON) to deliver FTTx services. Initial PON solutions have evolved to Gigabit PON and now operators are deploying XGS-PON and home mesh networking to keep up with customer demand and manage the explosion of devices.
Like previous versions, XGS-PON requires an ONT at the customer premises and often a bridge ONT to support high-traffic structures or businesses. And both residential and business users are better able to take advantage of the extra capacity available from a direct fiber connection by incorporating whole-home mesh solutions and next generation WiFi 6.
Going Beyond Gig
There was a time not long ago when no one believed residential services would exceed 1G. As all content becomes digital and cloud and streaming services continue to expand, GPON is being stretched to the limit. Existing GPON solutions are quickly becoming a bottleneck to rolling out higher capacity and higher value services. While operators are currently constrained in many markets by 1G uplink capacity, there are important reasons to begin installing XGS-PON solutions in the access network that can remain in place as the network evolves.
With more capacity comes more complexity. The growing number of devices and applications that rely on Wi-Fi has exploded creating configuration and performance issues for consumers. Whole-home Wi-Fi managed mesh solutions are invaluable for ensuring customer satisfaction as home networking complexity increases. WiFi 6 is being deployed to increase the speed and capacity of Wi-Fi services in environments crowded with connected devices, even during peak hours. In addition, EasyMesh standards have been defined to:
- Simplify Wi-Fi setup and enable automatic device on-boarding and configuration
- Ensure seamless roaming of clients to the best connection with band- and client-steering
- Enable self-optimization of the Wi-Fi network to ensure optimum performance
As FTTx construction continues, flexible ONT devices are required to optimize FTTx services. Open, flexible solutions are needed that can be readily adapted to emerging and future network and customer requirements. Remote monitoring and management of devices is needed to ensure that operators can deliver a continuous, high-quality customer experience while avoiding costly service delays and technician dispatches.
Zyxel CPE is Ready for XGS-PON
As operators look to XGS-PON to deliver multi-gigabit services, there is a need for hardware that can be deployed now and continue to perform as higher speed and capacity offerings come to market. Customer demands are beginning to push 1G limits and as operators expand the network, they need assurances that the access network elements they install now will continue to perform at higher speeds before they make the investment.
Building fiber infrastructure, while expensive and challenging, is only half the battle. In-home solutions including ONTs and multi-Gigabit Ethernet gateways ensure flexibility as service offerings continue to expand, without repeating the expense of deploying new CPE. As residential and business capacity demands exceed 1G, the next iteration of CPE must accommodate both higher speeds and whole-home complexity. Zyxel solutions deliver all that and more.
XGS_PON Bridge ONT with 10G LAN
Zyxel’s XGS-PON Bridge ONT with 10G LAN supports a symmetric 10/10G profile enabling operators to upgrade existing GPON networks for 10G broadband access with minimal investment in equipment, improving time-to-market for higher capacity, higher revenue broadband services. The Zyxel PM7516 XGS-PON Bridge ONT delivers:
- Seamless network migration enabling operators to rapidly scale service offerings
- 10G WAN and LAN interfaces with symmetric, unblocking 10/10G data access
- Flexible customization options for additional CPE and network elements based on deployment needs
- Network management efficiency and reduced on-site support costs
Whole-home Wi-Fi managed mesh solution Zyxel MPro Mesh comprises a gateway, extenders and software to deliver a reliable and hassle-free solution for high-speed, reliable corner-to-corner Wi-Fi access for a home full of devices. This EasyMesh standard-compliant solution accommodates a wide variety of service configurations and delivers:
- Easy setup with automatic on-boarding and configuration of connected devices
- Single Wi-Fi network covering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and the recently available WiFi 6 Ghz band
- Seamless client roaming with band steering and client steering to ensure the best connection
- Self-optimization of the Wi-Fi network to ensure optimum performance
- Comprehensive remote management to monitor the network, connected devices and run Wi-Fi diagnostics resulting in fewer truck-rolls and improved customer satisfaction
- Easy-to-use mobile app allows subscribers to manage their home Wi-Fi network, enable/disable guest Wi-Fi and even block Internet access
EX7710 WiFi 6E Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Gateway
With one 10G LAN port, the EX7710 extends the speed and capacity of fiber to customers’ homes. A fully compliant EasyMesh solution, the EX7710 multi-Gigabit Ethernet gateway delivers high-speed, self-adapting, easy-to-manage whole-home WiFi 6E coverage. Optimizing bandwidth utilization effectively increases network capacity, enabling more simultaneous data streams without dead zones. In a home where multiple users are streaming high-volume services (e.g. video, gaming), the extremely low latency delivered by the EX7710 means everyone stays connected without delays. By supporting the WiFi 6E standard today, the EX7710 enables customers to take full advantage of higher speed services as they become available.
Customer demand for high-capacity/low-latency Internet performance and support of latency-sensitive services and products is driving operators worldwide to upgrade service offerings to stay ahead of the competition. Zyxel multi-gigabit solutions are available now and can seamlessly adapt as networks grow beyond current 1G limits. Repeated testing and evaluation of Zyxel XGS-PON, WiFi 6 and MPro Mesh solutions prove that the Zyxel CPE delivered now is ready for whatever comes next.