Alcatel-Lucent, Energia Communications conduct field trial of G.fast and TWDM-PON in Japan

Trial demonstrates capability of next-generation technologies in enabling seamless network evolution to deliver future high-capacity services such as 8K TV.

Alcatel-Lucent nd Energia Communications, are conducting field trial in Japan of next generation ultra-broadband access technologies that will pave the way for the delivery of higher capacity business and residential services, including ultra-high definition 8K television and video on demand.

Japan has one of the highest penetrations of fiber-to-the-home ultra-broadband services in the world and connections have reached more than 37 million households according to the MIC.

With the country hosting a major global sporting event in 2018, the first 8K-resolution TV test broadcasts scheduled to begin in 2016, and the Internet of Things bringing with it a myriad of devices placing demands on communications networks, network traffic is set to increase at a dramatic rate. As a result Energia Communications has begun to investigate the possibility of increasing its access network capacity to meet future high volume traffic demands from its consumer and enterprise customers.

The trial is using Alcatel-Lucent’s G.fast technology to increase the speed of Energia Communications’ existing copper network which will deliver up to 1G ultra-broadband access to multi-dwelling buildings. Alcatel-Lucent’s TWDM-PON technology is being used over Energia Communications’ existing PON FTTH network, using the same fiber.

TWDM-PON allows service providers to seamlessly increase network capacity from 1 gigabit-per-second to 40 Gb/s using multiple wavelengths. Alcatel-Lucent’s IP/MPLS 7750 Service Router will be used to backhaul traffic from the access aggregation network to Energia Communications’ core network.

Nicolas Bouverot, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent Japan, added : “Alcatel-Lucent is the only vendor who has announced commercial TWDM-PON and G.fast products, and we have a strong service routing presence in Japan. The need for a faster broadband network is rapidly increasing in Asia and in Japan where the competition for speed is tough. Using its TWDM-PON, G.fast, and IP/MPLS Service Router technologies, Alcatel-Lucent can build a competitive network for its customers that helps them to smoothly evolve to meet future customer demands.”