Patent ID: 8346081

Claim:
A method, comprising: operating a customer premises equipment device including: separating downstream services using a wavelength separator between a first receiver and a second receiver; transporting upstream cable return services with an upstream laser through the wavelength separator; and switching a drive source for the upstream laser including setting a managed electrical switch to i) a cable position driven by an analog driver providing traditional cable services and upstream signals or ii) a PON position driven by a digital driver providing high-speed G(E)PON service, to reuse a wavelength of the upstream laser; wherein a) the digital driver is located in a removable PON module that is located in the customer premises equipment device and coupled to the first receiver, b) the analog driver is located in a removable cable module that is located in the customer premises equipment device and coupled to the second receiver and c) an RF splitter is coupled between the managed electrical switch and the removable cable module.