Today’s fiber access networks are satisfying multiple needs – from traditional leisure time-focused home broadband to business connectivity and mobile backhaul. But, to fulfil this evolving role, fixed broadband infrastructure needs to adopt new technologies and architectures.

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The onset of COVID-19 pandemic inspired telecoms operators around the world to take a long and hard view at their fixed access infrastructure, and their overall network architecture. In parallel, as the pandemic unfolded, it became clear how important the fixed access infrastructure is for delivering crucial services of the society, such as e-learning, e-health, and e-government, and supporting economy in general, as large numbers of home-bound employees started to use their home broadband to perform their work duties.

The pandemic impact, however, is not the only important trend shaping the demand for fixed access network transformation – in fact, the pandemic impact compounded with several long-term changes in demand patterns:

In accordance with these changes in demand, operators need to work on extending their access network capabilities. These changes will, of course, be mostly focused on the access network layer itself, but will extend into transport network, operators’ software layer, and finally CSP organization and go-to-market approach as well.   

The change in demand patterns and associated technological and architectural changes in operator networks therefore represent not only a step forward in solidifying broadband business, but also reflect the new role of broadband in serving increasingly demanding use cases and customer segments. These expanded network capabilities require strategic approach and bring changes across network domains and operators’ organizational structure; however, the payout for this effort is sizeable, both in terms of new business created, and – for fast movers – in improved competitive market position and adjacent business opportunities.  

1. ZTE provides a full range of end-to-end FTTH solution and product, including OLT, ONU/ONT and ODN, to meet operators’ 10G PON development needs, and to help operators for flexible access, rapid deployment, intelligent management, operation and maintenance. ZTE also provides Turnkey project deployment, and pre-terminated ODN products,

2. ZTE is the first in the industry deployed the Combo PON solution to achieve a smooth migration from GPON to 10G PON, and the first company to support 16-port Combo PON card. ZTE provides a full range of ONT products, and has first released Wi-Fi 6 certified XGS PON ONT which supports 10GE and IoT protocol. ZTE has the first ONT that obtained EasyMesh R2 certification.

3. As the end of 2020, ZTE’s Both FTTx market share and 10G PON market share were in the top 2 positions worldwide, and PON ONT product market share was the first in Q4 of 2020. Currently, one out of every four households that uses ZTE FTTx product worldwide.