Vivacom was already found to provide Europe’s fastest network in Q1/Q2 2020 by Ookla.
The two companies signed a deal to extend the gigabit passive optical network (GPON) network in Bulgaria and introduce XGS-PON in strategic locations.
The newer XGS-PON standard can support 10Gbps symmetrical data transfer and is part of the family of standards known as GPON.
Vivacom is committed to accelerating broadband coverage across the country. As part of this initiative, it is extending GPON into new areas, replacing active Ethernet infrastructure with PON, and upgrading top tier customers to XGS-PON.
Smooth transition
Nokia will be its sole network equipment supplier, cementing a long standing relationship between them.
Vivacom will be able to use existing assets and make incremental investments as necessary. The operator says symmetrical 10Gbps services create new business opportunities and help it prepare for 5G.
The roll-out is based on Nokia Lightspan series FX, designed to smooth the evolution from traditional deployments to virtualised access-network control and management – that is, software-defined networking (SDN) – through software upgrade.
Fastest network in the East
Atanas Dobrev, Vivacom CEO, said, “Vivacom…[which] has deservedly won…Ookla’s Q1/Q2 2020’s prize for Europe’s fastest mobile network, has taken a major step to ensure fastest fibre broadband access in Bulgaria.
“Trusting Nokia with building best in class XGS-PON infrastructure, we set the course towards providing 10Gbps broadband services, creating differentiating and more attractive service bundles. In addition, the high capacity fibre networks complement our mobile network and strengthen our position in the upcoming 5G world”.
Sandra Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia, added, “We see an increasing momentum for fibre access deployments and upgrades to XGS-PON, especially now that the need for broadband access has dramatically increased.
“We are bringing Vivacom solutions that help it to smoothly evolve its networks by leveraging its existing assets and providing advanced capabilities for future growth.”
The solution provided by Nokia includes its Lightspan series FX for GPON and XGS-PON services, ONT premises equipment plus deployment, validation and integration services.