Alcatel-Lucent  and Vodafone are conducting the first European field trial of TWDM-PON ultra-broadband access technology as the operator prepares its network to address growing network data traffic and mobile backhaul demands.

Using Alcatel-Lucent’s TWDM-PON (Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Networks)  technology, Vodafone will be able to achieve high-speed network performance of up to 40 gigabits per second - 10Gbps per wavelength - over its existing fiber infrastructure and seamlessly deliver commercial services to end-customers. The new technology will also help pave the way for new residential data services and deliver the enhanced capacity required by businesses. With over 446 million mobile customers worldwide, TWDM-PON will also play an important role in Vodafone’s strategy to address the increasing bandwidth needed to support its customers as they migrate to 4G mobile services.

The field trial builds on the successful completion of Vodafone’s lab trial in Vigo, Spain, where Alcatel-Lucent’s TWDM-PON technology achieved bit rates of up to 20Gbps over two wavelengths. With TWDM-PON technology Vodafone can increase capacity, converge business and consumer services, drive operational savings and generate new-revenue opportunities, on its existing fiber network.