In a move that would give the much-needed push to broadband penetration in the country, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) on Monday transferred indigenously-developed Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology to seven telecom equipment manufacturers, including private players.
The GPON technology is a pivotal component required for broadband connectivity over optical fibre.
“The cost-effective GPON will prove to be a game-changer technology for India…it can be used to provide triple play (voice, video and data). The present GPON standards specify 2.5 Gbps (Gigabit per second) downstream and 1.25 Gbps upstream data capability to customer premise. Apart from urban areas, especially multi-dwelling units, the large data carrying capability is important for Indian villages too where prevailing low literacy levels will necessitate information with greater graphic and audio content for better dissemination. It will give a boost to broadband connectivity across India,” said Union Minister of Communications and IT Kapil Sibal.
Besides, voice telephony, high speed Internet access and IPTV, the C-DOT GPON has provision to carry cable TV signal too, all on a single optical fibre. Another important advantage of GPON is that it can carry information from a central office to subscribers up to 60 km away without needing any intermediate repeaters thus doing away with the requirement of power, shelter and upkeep services at the intermediate locations.
In his address, Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said the technology was well-suited for the Indian environment. Pointing out that the GPON technology has been tested, validated, field-evaluated and made operational in BSNL's network in Ajmer (Rajasthan), he said: “It will help fulfil our requirements of major national programmes like the National Optical Fibre Network and the State Wide Area Network. Besides taking care of our needs in defence, railways and other strategic sectors, the technology can also be used for providing broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas,” Mr. Pilot said.
The government has now transferred this technology to seven manufacturers in public and private sectors — ITI, Bharat Electronics, VMC Systems, United Telecoms, Sai InfoSystem (India), SM Creative Electronics. In addition, transfer of technology has also been signed with Tejas Networks for customised development.
“With this transfer, a requisite production infrastructure has been set-up for state-of-the-art technology manufacturing in the country…it will help provide a secure, reliable, affordable and high quality converged telecommunication services in the country,” Mr. Sachin Pilot said.
