Adtran and Netomnia have announced a strategic partnership to introduce 50Gbit/s passive optical network (50G PON) services in the UK, a move set to transform the broadband landscape for homes and businesses. The collaboration will help meet the rapidly growing demand for high-speed internet by providing the infrastructure necessary to support data-intensive applications like online gaming, smart home technology, and remote work setups. The new network will also cater to enterprise needs such as cloud computing, public Wi-Fi networks, and emerging technologies like generative AI.
As service providers seek solutions beyond the current 10G PON standard, 50G PON is being hailed as a crucial upgrade to future-proof networks. It will allow multiple Gigabit services to operate simultaneously, significantly increasing the capacity to handle today’s and tomorrow’s data needs. The new technology integrates smoothly with existing GPON and XGS-PON systems, offering a low-cost and seamless upgrade path for service providers, without disrupting the current infrastructure.
Jeremy Chelot, Group CEO of Netomnia, emphasised the importance of the technology for the UK’s broadband future. “We’re proud to introduce 50G PON services to the UK in collaboration with Adtran,” he said. “This technology offers immense value for enterprise applications, supporting multiple high-speed Ethernet services for smart campuses, data centres, and cloud-based businesses. It’s also ideal for backhauling Wi-Fi and small-cell deployments. With a focus on delivering the most reliable and capital-efficient network in the UK, 50G PON enables us to scale efficiently, aiming to serve 1 million customers by 2028.”
The rollout will be powered by Adtran’s SDX 6400 Series, a key component in enabling 50G PON technology. With 10Gbit/s access connectivity already becoming standard in many areas, the demand for faster broadband continues to rise. By addressing these growing needs, Adtran and Netomnia hope to offer UK businesses and homes a more robust and scalable internet solution.
Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran, explained how the new technology fits into the broader vision of network development. “By empowering Netomnia to introduce the UK’s first broadband offerings based on 50G PON, we’re helping them address the escalating demand for multigigabit connectivity. The new services will deliver superior performance, expanded capacity, and a clear path for future network growth. This is vital infrastructure, not only for today’s high-speed needs but for the future of smart cities, 5G mobile base stations, and advanced technologies like virtual and augmented reality.”
The collaboration comes as Netomnia and brsk, following their merger, now hold the position of the UK’s fourth-largest full-fibre network operator. With over £1.3 billion in funding, the company aims to reach 3 million premises by 2025. The partnership with Adtran to deploy the country’s first 50G PON network is seen as a significant step toward achieving this goal, with both companies focused on addressing the UK’s evolving broadband needs.
The report highlights that 50G PON technology will support the growing demand for multigigabit services while ensuring easy upgrades for service providers. With its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing optical distribution systems, it offers a cost-effective and future-ready solution for the UK’s broadband infrastructure.
