Vodafone and Nokia to test new technology in bid to extend network life

(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC and Nokia Corp on Wednesday announced the successful testing of new technology designed to extend the life of existing fibre broadband networks beyond 2030.

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

Vodafone said the results support rising demand for faster, higher-capacity connectivity, helping meet the future needs of businesses, consumers and machines while increasing capacity on links connecting mobile base stations.

50G PON aims to deliver speeds of up to 50 gigabits per second, around five times the capacity of 10 gigabit XGS-PON technology. Vodafone said this would allow multiple customers in the same area to use multi-gigabit broadband simultaneously while reducing the risk of slowdowns during periods of peak demand.

The multi-PON approach also allows Vodafone to increase capacity by upgrading smaller interface cards and ports at fibre access nodes, rather than replacing larger hardware or fibre connections to customers' premises, it said.

Vodafone head of fixed access networks Gavin Young 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."

Vodafone said it plans to conduct further tests of multi-PON technologies, including live deployments, across its existing pan-European fibre footprint during 2026 and 2027.

Shares in Vodafone were up 0.5% to 124.50 pence per share on Wednesday morning in London. Nokia shares fell 0.6% to EUR9.11 each on Wednesday afternoon in Helsinki.

By Niall Holden, Alliance News reporter

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