IEEE (News - Alert) has revealed that the latest revision to IEEE 802.3 “Standard for Ethernet” has been accepted. The IEEE 802.3bk “Standard for Ethernet Amendment: Physical Layer Specifications and Management Parameters for Extended Ethernet Passive Optical Networks” aims to guarantee higher-density and extended-reach functions of Ethernet Passive Optical Networks or EPON. At the same time, the costs of ownership for network operators will be optimized.

In a statement, Marek Hajduczenia, chair, IEEE 802.3bk Extended EPON Task Force, said, “As operators around the world seek to build higher-density and more cost-effective optical access networks that connect more customers, service providers are grappling with a number of scalability challenges associated with delivery of mobile backhaul and guaranteeing connectivity to remote customers. The development of IEEE 802.3bk was an open, market-driven effort to amend the Ethernet standard to allow a given EPON deployment to support more users over longer distances than previously possible.”

According to Edwin Mallette, distinguished engineer, network architecture and standards at Bright House Networks, the organization is excited that the latest IEEE 802.3bk-based products will enable service providers to make improved utilization of their currently implemented fiber. The total expenses of offering services over an EPON-based first-mile optical access will therefore be considerably decreased.

David Law, chair, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group and distinguished engineer, HP Networking, said, “The IEEE 802.3bk-2013 amendment provides the leap forward in the capabilities of today’s EPON deployments, allowing operators to serve more customers on a single optical interface in the central office, while keeping the cost-effective and service-oriented architecture of EPON unchanged. While extending capabilities of existing EPON deployments, the market-driven innovation for EPON as the optical access technology continues. We are already seeing interest in defining the next generation of EPON, and we will be looking at service provider requirements and the state of optical access technologies to provide a cost-effective evolution path for EPON into the future.”

According to Paul Nikolich, chair of IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, the IEEE 802.3bk Extended EPON participants can leverage IEEE 802 LMSC's extremely transparent and open process for offering a finest example of developing a first-class standard for assisting the implementation of higher-performance, affordable networks for operators and consumers.