Benefits of PON Networks for Your Company

The network known as Passive Optical Network, or simply PON, is a passive optical network. In this article, we present the advantages of installing a PON network in your company.

What is a PON network?

A PON network is a fiber optic network that uses optical splitters in its topology to deliver data from a single point, distributing it to multiple other points to be delivered to end users.

This type of network is called passive because the fiber does not carry electrical power, nor do its components.

The fiber and its splitters can be considered the passive elements of a PON network, since they do not require electricity. Optical splitters divide wavelengths without implying energy loss. They also do not require cooling or continuous maintenance and have high durability when handled properly.

In PON networks, only the end devices located at both ends are considered active and are necessary to fully compose the network. However, this should not be seen as a drawback, since maintaining these items is much more accessible, offering greater practicality for corporate installations.

PON networks have several variations, such as GPON, EPON, 10G E-PON, XPON, etc. Learn more in  this article

Advantages of installing a PON network in your company

PON networks offer several advantages in installation, the main one being that they do not use energy for access networks, with fewer electrical components and lower maintenance requirements.

In addition, choosing a PON network for business installations ensures greater durability and security, since the fiber used is more resistant to corrosive effects and chemical components.

Main benefits of PON networ

In addition to ease of installation and low maintenance rates, PON networks also offer secure data transmission, high-performance optical cables, reduced physical space, better cost-effectiveness, lower long-term costs, and greater sustainability and flexibility.

Understand these benefits:

Cost reduction in installations and maintenance

PON networks, compared to old copper networks, are completely immune to electromagnetic interference and less vulnerable to environmental and time-related factors due to their construction characteristics. PON networks can preserve signal integrity over long distances.

Additionally, if any loss occurs, the process of identifying the cause is simpler, which facilitates and speeds up maintenance.

Sustainability

With faster and more efficient maintenance, lower energy usage requirements, and greater energy autonomy and efficiency, a PON network also becomes more sustainable in both the short and long term, as it is more economical and durable.

PON networks also significantly reduce the amount of plastic used in installations, reaching up to 87% savings compared to other types of infrastructure. This makes them a highly viable option for companies seeking eco-friendly alternatives.

Greater bandwidth and reach

Regardless of the PON network type, this technology provides higher data transmission speeds and allows multiple computers to be connected without performance loss, due to its immunity to noise or interference thanks to more advanced materials.

The various PON standards, when combined with services such as RFoG (RF over fiber), can coexist on the same network and offer triple-play services, enabling bandwidth expansion over a single fiber.

In addition, the reach of a PON network is a significant advantage, as it can cover distances of up to 40 km, depending on its configuration and use.

Flexibility

The flexibility of PON networks stands out by making it easier to implement layout changes when necessary. These changes can be made quickly, efficiently, and at low cost.

PON network connections feature a Plug&Play system, also avoiding prolonged installation periods that require multiple complex and time-consuming steps.

Laserway: The solution that combines passive networks, ease of installation, and modularity

The Laserway solution, by Furukawa, is an infrastructure innovation for LAN networks based on GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology. Conceptually, it is a point-to-multipoint topology network, where between a single network aggregation device (core) and the equipment present in work areas, there are only passive optical elements that do not require electrical power or cooling.

Savings, Control, and Convergence

In the Laserway solution, data transmission occurs between a device called OLT (Optical Line Termination), located in the equipment room, and ONT (Optical Network Termination) devices located in the work area.

ONTs provide connectivity through metallic patch cords and any 10/100/1000 Base Ethernet end devices on the network, such as computers, IP phones, automation systems, access control systems, etc.

Between the OLT and ONTs is the Optical Distribution Network (ODN). This network includes single-mode optical fibers and optical splitters, which are essentially optical signal dividers.

Splitters are passive devices that do not require electrical power or cooling, as mentioned earlier in this article. Their function is to split the incoming optical signal from an OLT fiber into multiple outputs for fibers that connect to ONTs in the work area.

Learn more

With 32 years of experience, DCA is a Master Distributor of Furukawa, including the Laserway solution. As a market leader in optical network solutions, DCA offers your company high-quality services that efficiently meet your network infrastructure needs with high added value.

Contact us to learn more about the benefits of PON networks for your company. Schedule a conversation with one of our consultants to clarify all your questions and explore the possibilities that can simplify your company’s daily operations.