Cable!Vision International3/2022

Passive Optical Networks – Roads of Glass

The ever-growing appetite for bandwidth continues to drive innovation in broadband technology. Passive Optical Networks (PON) stand as a key solution in this technological shift, delivering unparalleled capacity and efficiency. These networks, often referred to as the “roads of glass,” echo the connectivity ingenuity of ancient Roman roads, now translated into optical pathways that underpin our modern digital world. By replacing outdated coaxial segments with state-of-the-art fiber optics, PON technologies are poised to meet the increasing demands for high-speed, reliable communication, supporting everything from data transport to video and VoIP. Discover how these advanced networks work, their structure, and the standards that guide their evolution.