The Department of Telecommunications research and development agency on Monday transferred to seven companies a network that can serve a number of points of access with a single optical fibre. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) transferred the Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) to seven manufacturers,including ITI,BEL and Sai Infosystem. VMC Systems,United Telecoms and SM Creative Electronics have also received the technology. The agency had also signed an agreement with Tejas Networks. GPON technology is the pivotal component required for broadband connectivity over optical fibre, the agency said in a statement. The technology would help build state- and country-wide infrastructure and improve rural connectivity. It could also increase the reach of networks used by security agencies and the railways,C-DOT said. GPON uses splitters to direct voice,data and video sent over an optical fibre cable towards different access points. The networks reach nearly 60 kilometres when supported by a protocol,the International Telecommunications Union,a global watchdog,said on its website. Operators can encrypt downstream traffic and fully monitor the network. The agency said GPON could be used to provide education,health and official services over the internet to remote villages.
