GigaWaM · GIGA BIT ACCESS PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK USING WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEXING

The need for higher speed is a never ceasing requirement for broadband access and requirement of 1 Gbps is expected around 2016. The copper lines are expected to reach their maximum capacity at about 10 Mbps while the capacity required only for watching one channel of HDTV is 20 Mbps.<br/>Tithe total number of homes connected to fibres will grow from about 11 million at the end of 2006 to about 86 million at the end of 2011, dominated by Asia with 59 million household connected.<br/>Our idea is to develop and implement WDM-PON as the new future proof FTTH technology to satisfy the coming BW requirements with a point to point architecture. The aim is to develop application specific optical components of a WDM-PON broadband access network targeting a system cost per subscriber below today's implementation of GPON by develop innovative new low cost components with high level of integration in addition to new manufacturing processes. Even the cheapes WDM-PON solution cost 2 -3 times as much as GPON. Up to 95% of the cost of optical components is due to packaging. The project aims to develop a systm with a integration scale that is around 100 times higher than SOA that can be implemented as an upgrade of xPON systems, that are currently being installed, and will not require changes or re-routing of optical fibres.<br/>The European citizens and society will benefit from GigaWAM through: Easier access to a broad range of services; online maintaining communication links, avoiding discrimination and exclusion, benefit regarding telemedicine and eHealth, e-learning, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas and Eastern and Western Europe.<br/>Overall, the market opportunity in year 5 post market launches is €230 Mn annually with market launch in Europe, Asia and US assuming a conservative market penetration the first years followed by a steeper growth to 5% market penetration in Europe in year 5.