Nokia, a global leader in telecommunications technology, has announced a significant advancement in fiber optic technology with the launch of its 25G PON technology on the Lightspan SF-8M sealed fiber access node.
The Lightspan SF-8M, a sealed remote Optical Line Terminal (OLT), is a game-changer for cable operators, concurrently supporting GPON, XGS-PON, and the groundbreaking 25G PON. This pioneering integration allows operators to swiftly respond to escalating bandwidth demands or competitive threats by activating 10G or 25G on their existing PON network infrastructure.
This development marks a major milestone as the Lightspan SF-8M becomes the first 25G PON sealed remote fiber access node available in the market. It opens up an array of opportunities, including true symmetrical 10 Gb/s enterprise services, seamless mobile transport, and efficient network slicing/wholesaling. PON networks now have the potential to offer these services more cost-effectively compared to traditional point-to-point Ethernet networks, as emphasized by Nokia.
The Lightspan SF-8M boasts an IP67 rating, providing versatile installation options throughout the outside plant—be it on a strand, inside or outside a cabinet, or on a pole or wall. It also supports various power options, including power-over-coax, making it exceptionally well-suited for cable operators.
In addition, the introduction of small, remote Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) is expected to streamline the Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) upgrade process, allowing for a more targeted approach and potential cost savings.
Mark Klimek, North America Business Center Head for Fixed Networks at Nokia, highlighted the evolving landscape of gigabit speeds, emphasizing that fiber-to-the-home networks are no longer limited to residential broadband.
The ability to rapidly deploy a remote FTTH node and offer a range of PON-based services over the same network empowers operators to adapt swiftly to emerging opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.
According to Dell’Oro, Nokia secured the position of market share leader for XGS-PON equipment in 2022, establishing itself as the gold standard for fiber broadband. Notably, a significant majority — seven out of ten fiber broadband connections — in North America are currently made through Nokia equipment.
Nokia will be presenting a live demonstration of the 25G PON Lightspan SF-8M sealed fiber access node at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo scheduled to take place in Denver, CO, from October 16 to 19.
The Lightspan SF-8M, powered by the Nokia Quillion chipset, supports eight GPON, XGS-PON, or multi-PON ports, or four 25G PON ports. It offers flexible powering options, including power-over-coax, AC, DC, or RFT-V.
Nokia’s fiber broadband SDAN-based portfolio encompasses the Lightspan FX, MF, and DF families for various deployments, along with an extensive range of ONTs and professional services. This breakthrough in fiber optic technology is set to redefine the future of high-speed connectivity and shape the landscape of telecommunications worldwide.
