Active Ethernet vs GPON: Which technology is best for high-speed internet?

In the realm of telecommunications, Active Ethernet and Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) emerge as prominent technologies for delivering high-speed internet to residences and businesses. While both options offer reliable and quick internet connectivity, they possess noteworthy distinctions that set them apart.

Pros and cons of Active Ethernet

Active Ethernet, also known as point-to-point Ethernet, has been a long-standing technology employed to furnish high-speed internet to businesses and enterprises. In an Active Ethernet network, subscribers are directly linked to the service provider's Ethernet switch via dedicated fibre optic cables. This setup ensures that each subscriber enjoys an exclusive connection to the network, delivering high-speed internet with minimal latency and exceptional reliability.

One of the advantages of Active Ethernet is its capability to support symmetrical speeds, offering equivalent upload and download speeds. This characteristic renders it an optimal solution for businesses and enterprises necessitating substantial data uploads. Furthermore, Active Ethernet excels in accommodating multiple services, including voice and video, over a single fibre optic cable.

However, Active Ethernet does have some drawbacks to consider. One of the main concerns is it can be expensive to deploy, as each subscriber requires their own dedicated fibre optic cable. Furthermore, the management and maintenance of these networks can present additional challenges compared to alternative technologies.

Pros and cons of GPON

GPON – a relatively newer technology – has gained significant popularity in recent years. In a GPON network, numerous subscribers are linked to the service provider's optical line terminal (OLT) through a single fibre optic cable, which is split using a passive optical splitter. This shared network approach allows for more cost-effective deployment.

One of the advantages of GPON is its ability to provide high-speed internet with minimal latency and exceptional reliability, akin to Active Ethernet. Additionally, GPON supports multiple services over a single fibre optic cable, making it a versatile solution for both residential and business environments.

However, GPON does have certain limitations that should be considered. One limitation is the potential asymmetry in speeds due to the use of time-division multiplexing (TDM) for bandwidth allocation among subscribers. As a result, the upload and download speeds may not be perfectly symmetrical. Furthermore, GPON networks can be influenced by factors such as distance and signal degradation, which may impact the overall quality of the connection.

How do the two compare?

For a concise overview of the differences between Active Ethernet and GPON, please refer to the comparisons below:

1. Deployment costs - Active Ethernet is more expensive to deploy that GPON.
2. Symmetrical speeds - \Active Ethernet offers symmetrical speeds, whereas GPON is more limited.
3. Multiple services - Both technologies offer multiple services.
4. Signal degradation - This is low with Active Ethernet and moderate to high with GPON.
5. Distance limits - This is low with Active Ethernet and moderate to high with GPON.
6. Maintenance - Active Ethernet is complex whereas GPON is easier to maintain.
7. Speed - Active Ethernet offers speeds of up to 10Gbps, whereas GPON offers downstream speeds of 2.488Gbps and upstream seeds of 1.244Gbps.
8. Split ratio - Active Ethernet has a 1:1 split ratio, whereas GPON has a ratio of 1:32 or 1:64.

Certain network operators may employ a hybrid approach, incorporating both GPON and Active Ethernet technologies to cater to the unique requirements of their customers and service areas. The choice of technology a network operator uses may also depend on factors such as cost, deployment time and the specific services they offer.

SEACOM provides Active Ethernet connectivity

SEACOM has adopted Active Ethernet as the preferred technology across all its precincts and connected buildings. We offer our customers a dependable and high-speed internet connection, accompanied by the ability to support various services through a single fibre optic cable. This technology enables SEACOM to deliver symmetrical speeds, making it an optimal solution for businesses and enterprises seeking superior internet connectivity.

SEACOM's decision to embrace Active Ethernet underscores the advantages it provides and its aptness for delivering fast internet services to businesses and enterprises. Moreover, it attests to the longstanding track record of reliability and effectiveness associated with Active Ethernet, which has been successfully employed for many years to deliver top-tier internet connectivity. For more information or to get a quote for our connectivity services, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s largest network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including fibre optic networks and subsea cables. We offer a wide range of industry-leading scalable ICT solutions for large companies that operate throughout the region.

SEACOM is privately owned - making it adaptable to the needs of the client. We are the preferred ICT and internet connectivity supplier for African enterprises. We can guarantee fast, reliable and secure internet and networking services at affordable prices.

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