KDDI Deploys G.fast Broadband Solutions From Nokia

Nokia announced KDDI, a telecom operator in Japan, is deploying its G.fast solution in apartments and multi-dwelling units (MDU) buildings.

Nokia’s broadband technology will enable KDDI to use the existing copper lines instead of installing new fiber in MDU buildings to deliver 830Mbps combined uplink and downlink speeds to customers.

G.fast, developed by Nokia Bell Labs, uses vectoring technology to effectively reduce cross-talk interference that typically impacts data speeds over copper networks. G.fast solution provides support for Japan’s VDSL2 specifications.

G.fast solution will minimize the impact to existing VDSL systems and enable operators to upgrade their high-speed internet service to gigabit-class through a simple CPE (customer premises equipment) replacement.

Teresa Mastrangelo, the principal analyst at Broadband Trends, said: “Deployment of G.fast in Japan can be as challenging as fiber due to the unique VDSL ecosystem and standards in place.”

KDDI already provides 10Gbps service for a Hikari FTTH customers. But it can offer a speed of 100Mbps for MDUs because KDDI is unable to deploy fiber network.

“Nokia’s G.fast solution enables us to connect existing 100Mbps users and new G.fast users under the same DPU (distribution point unit).  This gives us the flexibility and economical path to meet the customer’s demands for higher speed,” Shigenari Saito, general manager, Network Technology Development Division, Technology Sector, at KDDI said.

Sandra Motley, president of Nokia’s Fixed Networks Business Group, said operators are adopting multi-technology strategies that allow them to maximize the use of both fiber and copper technologies.

KDDI in November last year announced that the company’s 3G services will end on March 31, 2022. KDDI will also switch its network facilities from 3G to simple 5G. As 5G will be combined with 4G area, they will be operated in parallel.

KDDI will enhance existing 4G network and achieve more than 1 gigabit per second maximum download – downlink speed for the first few years after launch, said Makoto Takahashi, president and Keiichi Mori, managing executive officer of KDDI said.―Telecom Lead