What is GPON (Broadband Internet)?

Passive optical network (PON) is a technology for delivering fiber-optic based broadband network to the end-customers. EPON and GPON are popular versions of passive optical networks (PONs). PON is a point to multi-point (P2MP) passive optical network, GPON stands for Gigabit Passive Optical Networks. GPON can transport not only Ethernet but also ATM and TDM (PSTN, ISDN, E1 and E3) traffic. So, we can say that gigabit passive optical network (GPON) is a point-to-multipoint access mechanism providing end-users with the ability to consolidate multiple services onto a single fiber transport network.

FTTH is the physical connection of Fiber up until the end-point (such as a home) while GPON is a technology used to provide services (Telephone, TV, internet etc.) on the connected fiber. Technically, FTTH is one of the methodologies of deployment of Fiber Optical Network which is the Physical layer in a communication network. With GPON, the traffic over a single fiber from the hub can be split among up to 32 homes.

The early fiber network based broadband connections mostly used hybrid fiber-coax deployments. In these deployments, the fiber is brought to a point near to the end customer and is converted to RJ45 ethernet connection for the final connection into the building. The conversion is usually from fiber to coax.

This types of deployments are still mainly done in areas where standalone buildings are being built with fiber connections. Fiber terminations are expensive and the deployment involves a lot of experience fiber technicians who are used to use a fusion splicer at the development level. This kind of deployment also called fiber-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) deployment. Passive optical networks avoid the complexities involved in keeping electronic equipment operating outdoors.

GPON network consists of mainly two active equipment – Optical Line Termination (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU) or Optical Network Termination (ONT). GPON supports triple-play services, high-bandwidth, long reach etc. Depending on the passive optical network (PON) implementation used in your local area, the type used can be EPON and GPON. The difference between an ONT and an ONU is that the ONT is an optical network terminal directly located on the user side, and the ONU is an optical network unit, and there may be other networks with the user, such as Ethernet.

Each GPON port can support a maximum transmission rate of 2.5 Gbit/s in the downstream direction and 1.25 Gbit/s in the upstream direction, meeting the usage requirements of high-bandwidth services, such as high definition television (HDTV) and outside broadcast (OB).