Integration of wireless and optics, future trends on access networks

Wireless and optical integration is pivotal to the exploitation of future access solutions. Optics provides greater bandwidths and long reach while wireless offers easier deployment, mobility and freedom to end users. By combining both, service experience is highly enhanced. Single types of transmission systems indeed have their advantages, but integration is essential if broadband really is for all. PON (passive optical networks) services together with UWB (ultra-wide band) generate advanced access solutions that once deployed, offer quadruple-play integration of wireless, voice, data and video applications. This paper presents the current situation of wireless and optics integration together an access solution based on these principles.