XGS-PON: The Essential Network Evolution Connecting the Future
Connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity for both households and businesses. The technological evolution of access networks must keep pace with a growing demand driven by high-resolution video, virtualised work environments, and the explosion of the IoT ecosystem. In this context, XGS-PON is no longer a future option—it is a present-day solution.
What is XGS-PON and why is it making a difference?
XGS-PON (10-Gigabit Symmetrical Passive Optical Network) is the next step in the evolution of current GPON technology, delivering a substantial leap in capacity and performance: symmetrical speeds of up to 10 Gbps enable users to upload or download files in seconds, support simultaneous 4K/8K streaming, and unlock new experiences like virtual reality and low-latency cloud gaming.
This progress is not limited to home use. In the business environment, XGS-PON democratises high-capacity connectivity, once reserved for large corporations with dedicated links. Today, any company—regardless of size—can access this power without complex infrastructure.
What’s driving adoption?
- A new digital consumption paradigm: According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), households are increasingly demanding higher capacity for intensive use cases like remote work, online education, and digital entertainment.
- Symmetry and low latency as standard: Emerging use cases demand not just higher speeds, but a smooth and consistent experience in both directions.
- A differentiator in a saturated market: For operators, offering speeds beyond 1 Gbps is no longer just a technical upgrade—it’s a strong commercial value proposition.
What are the challenges?
Migrating to XGS-PON isn’t just about replacing equipment. It requires managing a technological transition that coexists with current GPON ecosystems, ensuring interoperability through methods like WDM overlay and upgrading both OLTs and ONTs to XGS-PON-compatible models.
At Onivia, we are tackling this challenge through a significant infrastructure investment, which has already enabled us to deploy XGS-PON across more than 60% of our network—reaching over 4 million real estate units (UUIIs).
A network ready to support the operator
Onivia’s wholesale model allows operators to access this technology without the burden of investment. Our open, non-exclusive approach ensures that any operator—regardless of size—can deliver a standout experience to their end customers from day one.
The future is now
The question is no longer whether ISPs will adopt XGS-PON, but when. Those who lead this evolution will gain a competitive edge in a market where technical differentiation is a real growth driver.
At Onivia, we continue to move forward—delivering tomorrow’s network, today.