Alcatel-Lucent, BT, Orange, and Ericsson are among those who have launched a €4.4 million project aimed at exploring backhaul using G.fast technology.
G.fast boosts the performance of existing copper cables to get faster broadband speeds to premises, allowing operators to avoid more costly pure fibre fixed network deployments.
The technology was approved by the ITU last December.
Celtic-Plus, which consists of 12 companies, said its GOLD project would examine the potential of the technology’s use in urban areas, with one of its specific aims being to evaluate its use as an alternative backhauling option.
The project builds upon recent testing of G.fast, which demonstrated throughput of almost 1GBps per copper pair at 100 metres, and almost 170MBps per copper pair across 480 metres. The demonstration, which was conducted by BT, Orange, Telefónica and TNO used a 16 pair standard cable.
The companies behind GOLD said the new trials will use a second version of the G.fast standard, which works at higher frequencies and prepares the ground for 5G. The tests will last until December 2017.
The consortium claimed it could lead to “significant cost reductions in the network”.
Trevor Linney, head of Access Network Research at BT, said: “G.fast is quickly turning into a key technology for European operators. During our lab evaluations, it has outperformed our expectations in terms of bitrate and reach for fixed line subscribers. Now, we have formed the GOLD project to drive further improvements in the capabilities of this exciting technology, working closely with vendors and other global operators.”
BT is planning to launch G.fast pilots in two cities in the UK later this year, connecting around 4,000 businesses and homes.
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