Optical Networking

New passive optical network (PON) technologies lower the cost of deploying fiber optic cabling in cable TV and landline local access networks. They essentially enable one fiber pair from the network provider's facility to the neighborhood to be shared by many customers. They have the added benefits of lowering the maintenance and operating costs of these networks. Changes can be made by computer commands rather than by dispatching a technician. Passive optical networks also have lower space and power requirements than alternative technologies.

Other optical technologies, optical add and drop multiplexers and optical switches are used in high-speed backbone networks. They lower the cost of bringing high-speed service to medium-sized ...

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