“Plugfest” Event Tests Interoperability of XGS-PON and 25GS-PON

At standards development organization Broadband Forum’s “Plugfest” event in Colorado, device vendors met to test the adoption of high-speed fiber connectivity technologies. 

The event gathered companies from the fiber sector to test the readiness of their XGS-PON and 25GS-PON technologies and “ensure the interoperability of fiber products connecting homes to broadband service providers’ core networks,” according to a press release.

The goal was to allow the vendors to enhance the interoperability of their products through the tests. 

Participating companies included Askey Technology, AVM GmbH, Calix, CIG, Comtrend, Cortina Access, Evolution Digital, Gemtek Technology Co. Ltd., Harmonic, Inc., Hitron Technologies Inc., MT2, Nokia, Sagemcom Broadband SAS, Sercomm, TraceSpan Communications, and Vantiva. 

“Plugfests are a vital tool that help device vendors overcome compatibility worries,” said Broadband Forum CEO Craig Thomas. “The goal of this and future Plugfests is to ensure that all broadband service providers are ready for the next generation of fiber connectivity, regardless of whether they are deploying GPON, XGS-PON, 25GS-PON, 50G-PON technologies or those beyond.”

Test case categories included 25GS-PON TC-PM and XGS-PON OMCI, which were “guided” by Broadband Forum’s TR-309 Issue 3: PON TC Layer Interoperability Test Plan and TR-255 Issue 2: G-PON & XG-PON & XGS-PON Interoperability Test Plan documents.

“The industry recognizes the importance of ensuring interoperability between fiber network equipment and the recent event yielded encouraging results,” said CableLabs Vice President of Wired Technologies Curtis Knittle. “Our labs are ideal for hosting Plugfests because we provide state-of-the-art testing equipment and expertise, which enables collaboration and interoperability testing in a secure, neutral environment.”

The next PON Plugfest, scheduled for February 24-28, 2025, will be hosted by AT&T Labs and LANPARK at the AT&T Broadband Labs in Plano, Texas. It will focus on 25GS-PON and 50G-PON (HSP) test case categories. Another event is planned for summer 2025 at LANPARK’s test laboratory.

To register for the February PON Plugfest visit Broadband Forum’s Event Page.