FIBER-IN-THE-LOOP, TELEPHONY OVER PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORKS

The concept of Passive Optical Networks (PONs) was first introduced by PT Laboratories in 1986. After assessment through demonstration and t rial systems, the commercial deployment within the UK of Telephony ove r Passive Optical Network (TPON) systems has now started. These system s have been designed to provide an economic fibre access infrastructur e, direct to the business or as close to the customers premises as pos sible for residential and small businesses. Consisting of a multi-serv ice delivery platform with Telecommunications Managed Network (TMN) ca pability, these systems offer a total telecommunications solution for today's access market. This paper describes Fujitsu's involvement in t he trials and subsequent development of a TPON system for the UK as we ll as overseas markets. Views on the evolution of this technology for future market requirements, including multimedia communications, are a lso covered.