Broadband Ethernet: From Access to Long-Haul Networks

The amount of backbone Internet bandwidth maintained by the major Internet carriers has been expanding at 75% to125% per year, driven by the explosion of broadband Internet users and growing use of bandwidth-hungry applications such as HDV. As a result, public and private networks are experiencing unprecedented end-user demand for bandwidth, resulting in a need to cost-effectively scale the capacity of networks. This report addresses technological and marketing aspects of broadband Ethernet communications. The report reflects proliferation of Ethernet on various networking levels: from access to long-haul, with rapid deployments of the ultra-high speed communication infrastructure. At the access networks level, the report shows significant advances in the standardization of GE-PON and 10GE-PON technologies. The IEEE standards have been published and the industry actively supports these developments. The report provides technological and marketing analysis of Ethernet-based PONs. In metro and long-haul applications the IEEE supported standardization of 40GE and 100GE technologies. The report follows this process; and concentrates on already approved recent standards. The marketing and technological analysis of these ultra-high speed Ethernet applications and the industry is provided. Altogether, the report objective was to show that: Broadband Ethernet is winning leading positions in packet-based communications; Broadband Ethernet penetrated all networking layers - from access to long-haul; The broadband Ethernet industry is supported by the standardization process conducted by the leading standardization organizations; 10GE-PON has been developed on the already established GE-PON base; Both GE-PON and 10GE-PON markets are growing; 40GE and 100GE standardization was the industry response on rapidly growing users' requirements for ultra-high speed communications; Both technologies have been already commercialized, with the 40GE established market (though still immature). The 100GE market also shows all signs of healthy growth and promises to reach sizable amount already in 2012-2013. Several service providers are offering services based on E-PONs; major service providers are also offering 40GE/100GE-based services.

Additional Information

Research Methodology

Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed. Evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

Target Audience

This report is important to a wide population of researches, technical and sales staff involved in the developing of ultra-high speed transmission technologies and markets. It is recommended for both users and vendors that are working in the related areas.

Other categories of groups of interest may include R&D, sales and management.