France Telecom in WDM PON Trial

Light Reading published an article describing a presentation by France Telecom at ECOC about its participation in the Sardana WDM PON trial. The Sardana group is currently testing WDM PON technology in Tellabs facilities in Espoo, Finland, and plans to conduct a trial in the town of Lannion in France in 2010.

France Telecom is concerned that new services will exceed the capapcity of the GPON technology that it is currently deploying. It plans to offer 3D TV services to mobile users by the end of 2008 and to flat screen TV users by 2011. France Telecom expects that 3D TV to a flat screen TVs will require between 50 Mbps and 90 Mbps.

WDM PON, 10G PON, and Hybrid PON will provide important new capabilities to fiber access networks and cause many more carriers to adopt FTTH strategies. The comments about 3D TV are interesting. I saw an NHK 3D HD demo at NAB, and it was quite compelling.

3D Revolution

Light Reading published a keynote interview at IBC given by Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg discussing the resurgence of 3D. He said that all of the major studios have 3D projects under way. He also said that the quality of the 3D is much higher than in the past. Digital 3D is expected to be widely rolled out in 2009, when an estimated 2,500 theatre screens will be equipped with the technology.

I saw a compelling 3D HDTV demonstration by NHK at NAB. They told me that this is already available in Japan over satellite. I am going to have to figure out how much bandwidth will be required for 3D HDTV. I am sure that it will put additional strains on the access networks.