Trends Feature Passive Optical Networks in Action Emerging PON technology is a back door for smaller customers to get the optical network access they need.
PONs offer a number of advantages, such as very low cost, for small to medium-size businesses.
At the same time, suppliers have to overcome a number of obstacles, including some industry prejudice that the solutions may not scale adequately to meet the capacity demands of the future. Yet, regardless of how large the market for PONs in business applications grows, the important goal for suppliers will be to at least establish a strong foothold in the optical access market, from which more sophisticated capabilities and products can ultimately be launched. Historical Framework Historically, PONs have been viewed mainly as possibilities for residential applications. As an example, during that time frame, the cost of FTTH was absolutely prohibitive at Pacific Bell. In fact, Pac Bell has had an infrastructure plan since the 1980s to evolve into a PON all the way to the customer premises.