GFiber Labs has demonstrated 50Gb/s broadband speeds over its existing fiber network, marking the first live network testing of 50G PON technology in the United States.
This achievement highlights the ease with which operators can upgrade their fiber networks using Nokia’s Lightspan MF fiber access platform to meet the increasing demand for faster and more reliable connectivity.
Building on the 25G PON deployment announced last year, this trial showcases the potential for different PON technologies to coexist on the same fiber infrastructure, allowing operators to enhance their broadband offerings efficiently.
Operators are leveraging fiber to generate new opportunities with 25G PON services. Investment in 50G PON upgrades and beyond will assist operators in meeting demand for higher speeds. Nokia claims to be the only vendor capable of supporting all next-generation PON options, including available 10G and 25G products, 50G in trials, and 100G PON as a technology demonstrator.
Nokia’s Lightspan fiber access platform provides operators with the flexibility to choose the most suitable PON solution for specific use cases or business needs. The 50G PON trial with Nokia underscores Google Fiber’s commitment to future-proofing its network and delivering innovative broadband services.
Utilizing Nokia’s fiber solution, Google Fiber successfully ran 10/25G PON alongside 25/50G PON broadband services over its fiber network. This demonstrated the network’s flexibility and scalability, essential for meeting the growing demand for multi-gigabit services.
Google Fiber is at the forefront of the multi-gigabit evolution, having launched the first 25G PON commercial services with Nokia in 2023.
“This test with Nokia builds on the 25G PON deployment we announced last year, paving the way for future network enhancements that improve customer experience in terms of speed, reliability, innovation, and support for future business cases,” Liz Hsu, Senior Director of Product & Billing at Google Fiber, said.
“We already offering 10G and 25G today, and are trialing 50G, and developing 100G, ultimately leading to a full range of PON technologies that can be mixed and matched on the same platform and fiber,” Geert Heyninck, Vice President of Broadband Networks at Nokia, said.
