Recent progress and continuing challenges in optical access network technologies

This paper first reviews and describes various technologies that are enabling and supporting the wide and continuous deployment of optical access. The Passive Optical Network (PON) architecture and related technologies have been assuming an important role in realizing optical access in a cost-effective manner. Next, recent advances such as 10-Gbit/s PON technologies are summarized. Lastly, further challenges are discussed: one of the important challenges is convergence of optical and mobile access networks for future broadband and ubiquitous communication services.