A multi-wavelength passive optical network, MW-PON, system comprising: an optical distribution network, ODN, comprising a trunk fiber, one or more branching elements coupled to the trunk fiber, and a plurality of distribution fibers coupled to the one or more branching elements; a plurality of optical line terminations, OLTs, communicatively coupled to the trunk fiber, each OLT being associated with an individual bi-directional wavelength channel using a corresponding single downstream wavelength and a corresponding single upstream wavelength, and supporting a specific downstream line rate and one or more distinct upstream line rates; a wavelength multiplexor, WM, coupled between the OLTs and the trunk fiber direct light between the OLTs and the trunk fiber; and a plurality of optical network units, ONUs, each ONU being communicatively coupled to a respective distribution fiber, being tunable over a specific range of downstream wavelengths and a specific range of upstream wavelengths, and supporting a specific downstream line rate and a specific upstream line rate; wherein each OLT is configured to: assemble a broadcast management message conveying information about bi-directional wavelength channels in the MW-PON system the broadcast management message comprising a plurality of entries for activation channels, wherein the plurality of entries includes at least an entry for a first channel; and transmit the broadcast management message downstream over the associated bi-directional wavelength channel; and wherein each ONU is configured to: scan a tuning range of the ONU to tune to the first channel; receive the broadcast management message on the first channel; acquire profile information on the first channel based on a determination that the first channel is a compatible activation channel using plurality of entries; and discard the profile information and tune to a compatible activation channel selected from the activation channels based on a determination that the first channel is an incompatible activation channel using the plurality of entries. an optical distribution network, ODN, comprising a trunk fiber, one or more branching elements coupled to the trunk fiber, and a plurality of distribution fibers coupled to the one or more branching elements; a plurality of optical line terminations, OLTs, communicatively coupled to the trunk fiber, each OLT being associated with an individual bi-directional wavelength channel using a corresponding single downstream wavelength and a corresponding single upstream wavelength, and supporting a specific downstream line rate and one or more distinct upstream line rates; a wavelength multiplexor, WM, coupled between the OLTs and the trunk fiber direct light between the OLTs and the trunk fiber; and a plurality of optical network units, ONUs, each ONU being communicatively coupled to a respective distribution fiber, being tunable over a specific range of downstream wavelengths and a specific range of upstream wavelengths, and supporting a specific downstream line rate and a specific upstream line rate; wherein each OLT is configured to: assemble a broadcast management message conveying information about bi-directional wavelength channels in the MW-PON system the broadcast management message comprising a plurality of entries for activation channels, wherein the plurality of entries includes at least an entry for a first channel; and transmit the broadcast management message downstream over the associated bi-directional wavelength channel; and assemble a broadcast management message conveying information about bi-directional wavelength channels in the MW-PON system the broadcast management message comprising a plurality of entries for activation channels, wherein the plurality of entries includes at least an entry for a first channel; and transmit the broadcast management message downstream over the associated bi-directional wavelength channel; and scan a tuning range of the ONU to tune to the first channel; receive the broadcast management message on the first channel; acquire profile information on the first channel based on a determination that the first channel is a compatible activation channel using plurality of entries; and discard the profile information and tune to a compatible activation channel selected from the activation channels based on a determination that the first channel is an incompatible activation channel using the plurality of entries.