ZTE and Antel completed Latin America's first validation of symmetric 50G PON technology 

The three-generation convergence and evolution solution ensures long-term coexistence of GPON , 10G PON, and 50G PON

ZTE (0763.HK / 000063.SZ) Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, in collaboration with Antel, Uruguay's largest telecommunications operator, completed the first validation of symmetric 50G PON technology in Latin America during the Antel Summit 2026. The validation achieved the convergence and evolution of three generations of PON technologies (GPON, 10G PON, and 50G PON), fully demonstrating the technical capabilities of 50G PON in seamless network evolution, ultra-high-speed service delivery, and future large-scale deployment. This milestone marks a significant step in Uruguay's evolution toward next-generation ultra-broadband optical access networks and provides a valuable benchmark for the ongoing upgrade of fixed networks throughout Latin America.

Globally, fixed broadband networks are accelerating their evolution toward all-optical networks that offer higher speeds, lower latency, and greater reliability. As a pioneer in Latin America's digital transformation, Uruguay continues to drive the development of its digital infrastructure. Leveraging its extensive fiber footprint, Antel has built a high-quality fixed broadband network across the country. It also continues to enhance its capabilities and user experience through technological innovation to meet the growing connectivity demands of digital homes, smart cities, and industrial digital transformation.

At the summit, ZTE and Antel showcased a multi-generation convergence and evolution solution of GPON, 10G PON, and 50G PON technologies. While ensuring the stable operation of existing GPON and 10G PON services, it successfully validated the key performance indicators of symmetric 50G PON technology, demonstrating its potential to support next-generation ultra-broadband networks.

The solution enables long-term coexistence and on-demand evolution of the three PON generations. Without major modifications to existing networks, operators can smoothly upgrade their network capabilities, thereby protecting their existing investments. Meanwhile, in response to the continuously growing demand for future ultra-broadband services, 50G PON can further enhance the bandwidth capabilities of access networks, providing operators with a clear evolution path to build future-oriented, ultra-high-speed all-optical networks.

As a key technology for next-generation fixed access networks, 50G PON will further unleash the bandwidth potential of all-optical networks. In addition to meeting the multi-gigabit broadband needs of home users, it can support a wide range of emerging digital applications, such as 5G mobile backhaul, cloud VR/AR, cloud gaming, 8K ultra-HD video, telemedicine, industrial Internet, smart manufacturing, and smart campuses. 50G PON delivers ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, low jitter, and high-precision clock synchronization for diverse services, accelerating the construction of the next-generation network infrastructure for the digital economy.

Moving forward, ZTE will continue to deepen its collaboration with Antel, driving the evolution of all-optical access networks through technological innovation and accelerating the integration of next-generation broadband technologies into various sectors of the digital economy. Together, the two parties will provide a more robust network foundation for Uruguay's digital infrastructure upgrades and the high-quality development of its digital economy.