Next-generation optical access seamless evolution: concluding results of the European FP7 Project OASE

• Published in: Journal of optical communications and networking Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 109 - 123
• Main Authors: Forzati, Marco, Bianchi, Alberto, Jiajia Chen, Grobe, Klaus, Lannoo, Bart, Mas Machuca, Carmen, Point, Jean-Charles, Skubic, Bjorn, Verbrugge, Sofie, Weis, Erik, Wosinska, Lena, Breuer, Dirk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Broadband optical access; Digital storage; Fiber optic networks; FTTH; Integrated project; Next generation networks; Next-generation optical access; NGOA; Optical access; Optical access networks; Optical fibers; Optical network units; Optical switches; Passive optical networks; Population densities; Population statistics; System migration; Wavelength division multiplexing
• ISSN: 1943-0620; 1943-0639; 1943-0639
• DOI: 10.1364/JOCN.7.000109

Increasing bandwidth demand drives the need for next-generation optical access (NGOA) networks that can meet future end-user service requirements. This paper gives an overview of NGOA solutions, the enabling optical access network technologies, architecture principles, and related economics and business models. NGOA requirements (including peak and sustainable data rate, reach, cost, node consolidation, and open access) are proposed, and the different solutions are compared against such requirements in different scenarios (in terms of population density and system migration). Unsurprisingly, it is found that different solutions are best suited for different scenarios. The conclusions drawn from such findings allow us to formulate recommendations in terms of technology, strategy, and policy. The paper is based on the main results of the European FP7 OASE Integrated Project that ran between January 1, 2010 and February 28, 2013.