From 25G to 50G TDM-PON, transceiver architectures, their performance and cost modeling

The standard for 25G EPON is now close to publication in IEEE P802.3ca [2]. In ITU-T the standardization of 50G PON has begun. In parallel a large regionally-diverse coalition of operators and vendors has proposed the addition of a 25G PON project in ITU-T, but a smaller coalition of the most optimistic advocates for 50G PON have managed to block it so far. This remains unresolved. Technological, economic and market factors will ultimately determine which PON technologies will achieve commercial success and when. In the meantime we must be guided by our best analysis of the technological challenges, their solutions, the resultant impact on cost, and even from some history. Presenting such analysis is the objective of this paper.