G-PON Juggernaut
Verizon has taken steps to increase by 400-800% potential broadband speeds on its FTTP network to "widen its broadband speed advantage over other telecom and cable TV companies," according to the telco. Verizon said it will install "G-PON" (gigabit passive optical network) equipment from Alcatel, Motorola and Tellabs that will boost downstream and upstream speeds 4- and 8-fold, respectively. The G-PON equipment will enhance VOD and "sets the stage for an all-IPTV offering in the future," said Verizon exec vp Paul Lacouture, adding that "substantial cost benefits" will reduce FTTP costs by about 25%. MSOs are still working on DOCSIS 3.0, which may not match G-PON speeds any time soon. "From a pure capacity perspective, G-PON is the technology that offers the most," Motorola VP Tony Zona told us. But he said MSOs need not worry too much. "Both cable and telcos will have the tools available to build world-class networks to provide services," he said.