Vodafone and Nokia test new technology to boost capacity and extend the life of existing fibre network

Vodafone and Nokia successfully tested new technology designed to extend the life of existing fibre broadband networks beyond 2030 while supporting rising demand for faster, higher-capacity connectivity.

It means existing fibre lines can meet the future needs of businesses, consumers and machines, as well as increase capacity on links connecting mobile base stations. This can be achieved through simpler, lower-cost exchange upgrades, without replacing customers’ lines or making major hardware changes.

The trial at Vodafone’s Newbury laboratory in the UK demonstrated that current and future fibre technologies can operate simultaneously on the existing fixed network. Specifically, Vodafone and Nokia validated that the future-ready 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) architecture can operate alongside the more widely deployed GPON and XGS-PON technologies.

Gigabit broadband

As the name implies, 50G PON aims to deliver speeds of up to 50 gigabits per second, which is approximately five times greater than 10 gigabit-capable XGS-PON technology. This extra capacity enables multiple customers in the same area to use multi-gigabit broadband simultaneously while the risk of any busy-hour slowdown is reduced.

Running multiple PON technologies on the same network gives Vodafone greater flexibility to meet varying user needs and demand. For example, initial demand for higher capacity 50G PON connectivity is likely to come from clusters of enterprise customers in locations such as business parks and from mobile backhaul connecting masts to the core network in busy urban areas.

The multi-PON approach also lets Vodafone increase capacity more efficiently by only having to upgrade small interface cards and ports at a fibre access node (similar to a local exchange). This avoids having to swap out large pieces of hardware such as shelfs or chassis, or fibre connections feeding people’s homes and premises.

Keeping time

The project also validated advanced synchronisation for mobile backhaul, ensuring base stations transmit customer traffic in step to minimise delays and signal jitter over 25GS-PON and 50G PON. Vodafone and Nokia demonstrated phase synchronisation using Telecom Boundary Clock (T-BC) – a hardware clock that coordinates network traffic – and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), while maintaining a high capacity and high performing connection.

Gavin Young, Head of Fixed Access Networks at Vodafone, said: “This successful trial shows we can future-proof our existing fibre broadband network, whether its AI agents and machines conversing or people using immersive applications. It also allows us to target upgrades where they are needed most, increasing capacity at lower cost, and focus on improving customer experience.”

A key success factor of the project was the strong collaboration between Vodafone and Nokia teams throughout planning, execution and validation activities. Mangesh Kulkarni, Client Executive Vodafone Group at Nokia, explained: “Together with Vodafone, we have validated key capabilities for converged fixed and mobile networks, reinforcing the strength of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to innovation.”

Meet future needs

The results highlight the potential of next-generation PON technologies and support future network growth with multi-service fibre infrastructure technology. Consumer broadband, enterprise connectivity, and mobile backhaul capacity can be scaled more easily, to ensure installed fibre will meet customers’ needs for years.

Vodafone aims to conduct further tests of multi-PON technologies, including live deployments, across its existing pan-European fibre footprint during 2026 and 2027, and will continue to focus on improving quality, reliability and automation.