The trial comes in response to growing network data traffic and mobile backhaul demands in the region, and Alcatel-Lucent’s technology will allegedly enable Vodafone to hit speeds of 40Gbps – 10Gbps per wavelength – over its existing fibre infrastructure.
“We have been engaged with Alcatel-Lucent for several years on TWDM-PON development – testing and trial activities – all of which have shown great results,” said Gavin Young, head of fixed access at Vodafone Group. “We look forward to conducting field trials of TWDM-PON in Europe.
Alcatel-Lucent’s TWDM-PON technology is designed to help Vodafone increase capacity, converge its business and consumer services, drive operational savings and generate new revenue streams on its existing fibre network.
It will also play a key role in Vodafone’s strategy to increase bandwidth as its customers migrate to 4G mobile services.
“Vodafone wants to grow capacity to meet customer demand. They also want to benefit from operational efficiencies that keep them competitive in a challenging market,” said Federico Guillén, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Fixed Access Business Line.
“We are committed to providing them with innovative technologies that will allow them to reduce costs and deliver new services more easily. That is why TWDM-PON is such an important development for them.”
Earlier this year, Vodafone and Alcatel-Lucent successfully trialled 400G data transmission over a distance of 400km between Madrid and Zaragoza, Spain.
