Broadband Forum tests interoperability of fibre technologies

Author: Simon Rowley

Device vendors recently advanced the adoption of high-speed fibre connectivity technologies at a Broadband Forum ‘Plugfest’ event hosted by CableLabs in Louisville, Colorado.

Plugfest brought together leading companies from the fibre sector to test the readiness of their XGS-PON and 25GS-PON technologies and ensure the interoperability of fibre products connecting homes to broadband service providers’ core networks.

“Plugfests are a vital tool that help device vendors overcome compatibility worries,” says Craig Thomas, Broadband Forum’s CEO. “The goal of this and future Plugfests is to ensure that all broadband service providers are ready for the next generation of fibre connectivity, regardless of whether they are deploying GPON, XGS-PON, 25GS-PON, 50G-PON technologies or those beyond.”

Participating companies included Askey Technology, AVM, Calix, CIG, Comtrend, Cortina Access, Evolution Digital, Gemtek Technology, Harmonic, Hitron Technologies, MT2, Nokia, Sagemcom Broadband SAS, Sercomm, TraceSpan Communications, and Vantiva. These organisations tested the interoperability of their systems to ensure fibre equipment can deliver the high-quality connectivity experience consumers expect.

Leveraging the results of their tests, vendors are well positioned to enhance the interoperability of their products, driving greater industry collaboration and innovation. Additionally, feedback from participating vendors was instrumental in refining Broadband Forum’s test plans, ensuring continued improvement and success at future testing events.

Test case categories included 25GS-PON TC-PM and XGS-PON OMCI, guided by Broadband Forum’s TR-309 Issue 3: PON TC Layer Interoperability Test Plan and TR-255 Issue 2: G-PON & XG-PON & XGS-PON Interoperability Test Plan documents.

“The industry recognises the importance of ensuring interoperability between fibre network equipment and the recent event yielded encouraging results,” comments CableLabs Vice President of Wired Technologies, Curtis Knittle. “Our labs are ideal for hosting Plugfests because we provide state-of-the-art testing equipment and expertise, which enables collaboration and interoperability testing in a secure, neutral environment.”

The next PON Plugfest, scheduled for 24-28 February 2025, will be hosted by AT&T Labs and LANPARK at the AT&T Broadband Labs in Plano, Texas. It will focus on 25GS-PON and 50G-PON (HSP) test case categories. Another event is planned for summer 2025 at LANPARK’s test laboratory.

Registration for the February PON Plugfest is now open. For more information or to register, click here.

For more from Broadband Forum, click here.