Nokia and South Korea’s SK Broadband say they have provided the fastest fiber access speeds ever to a set of apartment buildings in Seoul, reaching aggregate speeds of 52.5 Gbps.
In 2006, SK Broadband was the first to commercialize 2.5-Gbps GPON technology. In 2014, they introduced the world’s first 10-Gbps Internet service jointly with the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, and the National Information Society Agency using 10-Gbps E-PON technology.
Now, says Nokia, they are now taking their fiber network to the next level. Reusing the existing fiber network and access platform, on which they already have deployed Gigabit Passive Optical Network technology (GPON) at 2.5 Gbps, they can now boost speeds up to 52.5Gbps.
To do that, SK Broadband is using multi-dwelling units (MDUs) from HFR and Nokia’s universal next generation PON solution, making it possible to aggregate different technologies on the existing fiber: TWDM-PON with symmetrical 40 Gbps, XGS-PON with symmetrical 10 Gbps, and GPON with 2.5 Gbps.
It’s not just about speed, says Nokia: universal next generation PON also brings the benefit of cost-efficient upgrades and operational efficiencies thanks to the wavelength mobility.
“As a new era looms that demands Gigabit Internet, ultra high-definition video and virtual and augmented reality services, SK Broadband will establish a network infrastructure that provides the best customer value,” said Yoo Ji-chang, head of SK Broadband’s Network Division.
South Korea has set clear strategic goals to have gigabit broadband available to all citizens by 2020. According to the Pacific Telecommunications Council, South Korea has the world’s highest mobile broadband penetration at 91%, with more than 55% of households connected via FTTH/FTTB.
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