A group of fiber network infrastructure vendors, including Corning, IBM, SAIC, TE Connectivity, Tellabs (Nasdaq: TLAB), Zhone and 3M, jointly launched the Association for Passive Optical LAN (APOLAN) to advocate the utility and adoption of PON-based networks in the LAN.
Passive Optical LAN offers a number of advantages in terms of expanded bandwidth and lower installation costs. From an operational standpoint, proponents claim that Passive Optical LAN can reduce equipment, power, and cooling costs over traditional workgroup switch-based LAN architectures.
Although the Passive Optical LAN is still an emerging concept, Tellabs has been seeing some traction with customers like Deltek, a provider of enterprise software and information solutions. The company is using Tellabs' Optical LAN Solution to deliver gigabit-to-the-desk service over a passive fiber infrastructure at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Service providers such as Verizon (NYSE: VZ) are also building their own Passive Optical LAN networking products. Leveraging the same GPON network infrastructure it uses to deliver FiOS to consumers, Verizon currently offers its Optical LAN Solutions (OLS) fiber to the desktop solution to the public sector vertical.
It's possible that future members of APOLAN could include service providers, but right now the membership includes companies that provide infrastructure, electronics, integration, distribution, and consulting services related to the Passive Optical LAN industry.
For more:
- see the release
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