FONEX Data Systems Inc., a leader in advanced fiber-optic solutions, today announced the successful completion of a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) overlay pilot project in collaboration with SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone. SIRO is building Ireland’s first 100% fiber-to-the-building broadband network, spanning 154 towns and cities.

The project demonstrated the integration of WDM wavelengths for point-to-point services on SIRO’s existing GPON network. This innovative overlay provides SIRO with the option to offer dedicated broadband services to business clients while continuing to leverage the same passive optical network (PON) infrastructure used for residential services. With this successful demonstration, Vodafone reaffirms its leadership in delivering cutting-edge, cost-effective business solutions across its expansive fiber network.

To achieve this breakthrough, SIRO selected FONEX’s LambdaGain™ WDM & PON Hybrid Mux/Demux solution, a sophisticated product designed for seamless fiber network enhancements. With over 30 years of experience supporting top-tier operators across Europe and North America, FONEX has once again proven its capacity to meet complex network requirements.

“WDM Overlay is a key technology to enable enterprise services over our passive optical network, thereby enabling more efficient utilization of the existing fiber plant. It offers the potential for network operators to expand the range of services they can provide to their customers,” said Mark McNeela, SIRO’s Head of Active Plan and Design.

FONEX’s expertise was critical to the success of this pilot. “FONEX has been a crucial partner for this pilot project, as they share our ideals of constant innovation and thinking outside the box. They developed custom solutions that addressed the specific challenges of our network, lowering the cost of dedicated broadband links,” McNeela added.

“Utilizing infrastructure that is already in place is the most important advantage of WDM Overlay. This enables operators, such as SIRO, to offer quality dedicated services to enterprise clients quickly and at an attractive price,” said Fernando Donoso, Product Line Manager at FONEX.

The pilot project validated the ability for operators like SIRO to deliver direct, non-shared 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps broadband connections to business customers, at competitive rates and with faster deployment times. This solution also paves the way for future scalability, allowing for increased speeds and the addition of more wavelengths.

Gavin Young, Vodafone Group’s Head of Fixed Access Technology, emphasized the broader implications: “Through this project, Vodafone Group, with our partner SIRO, has shown its continued commitment to supporting innovative technology solutions and driving greater convergence between mobile and fixed networks.”