The development of various new web services such as internet protocol (IP), television and video conferencing has led to an increasing demand for ultra-fast broadband networks across the globe. Optical networks are currently the champions for fast broadband networks, but widespread deployment of intelligent and flexible multiservice optical networks continues to be hampered by several issues. <\/p>\n
Providing high quality and efficiency of data transport as well as optimising the use of network resources, while at the same time limiting the capital expenditure and operating costs, has been a major challenge.<\/p>\n
Frost & Sullivan has therefore taken an interest in work conducted by researchers working on the EU-funded NOBEL (Next generation Optical networks for Broadband European Leadership) project – phase 2 to address these issues. <\/p>\n
The researchers have studied and developed fully revised network architectures and technologies to pave the way for providing next-generation optical broadband networks.<\/p>\n
The researchers, belonging to various universities and research centres, which are part of the NOBEL consortium, have closely integrated IP and transport layers including advanced control plane (CP) interworking and an easy, automated management of optical circuits for fast provisioning and restoration. <\/p>\n
Phase 2 of the NOBEL project, which was built upon the result of intensive research and the results obtained in phase 1, was specifically devoted to further develop new network concepts and exploit recently emerged opportunities such as the fixed-mobile convergence and the introduction of IP version 6 (IPV6).<\/p>\n
The researchers have made significant progress, specifically on the network CPs. These deal with the computation and communication systems that automatically control a network’s lower level functions, which are difficult to control by human operators. <\/p>\n
CPs simplify the management of complex networks and also enable new connections to be made on demand, which particularly benefits on-demand services. This development facilitates progress in the field of automated intelligent networks.<\/p>\n
Packet transport technology is another area where the researchers have been concentrating their efforts, as it enables more efficient use of network resources.<\/p>\n
Talking to Frost & SullivanTechnical Insights, Marco Schiano, NOBEL’s coordinator, says, "Generally speaking, all new technologies studied in NOBEL are devoted to the optimisation of transport networks for the transport of IP traffic compared to old technologies designed for the plain telephony service."<\/p>\n
The NOBEL project does a commendable job of showcasing the possibility of using packet transport in an automated and transparent optical network facilitating unified networking of data, voice, and video transporting. <\/p>\n
However, such advancements also need to be followed up with improving last-mile access from homes and offices, a majority of which still rely on copper wires enhanced with technologies such as digital subscribers line (DSL).<\/p>\n
Regarding plans for the future, the researchers intend to investigate more integrated networks, service platforms, and user terminals that work together seamlessly.<\/p>\n