Balanced vs Unbalanced PON
Light from the OLT is divided into distribution fibers equally.
Light is divided per different split ratio.
Per PON standard, distance from OLT to ONT usually limited to 20KM distance.
Balanced PON: More fitting Urban scenarios
All possible drop terminals shall be pre-considered.
Usually constructions and deployments between OLT and each drop terminals would be done within same phase.
Unbalanced PON: More fitting Rural scenarios
Balanced PON:
Pros: Simplified Network, average cost(per subs) drops as long as operator dominate the market share in cluttered areas.
Cons: Big investment from the beginning, build things ready and then start to accquire subscribers.
Unbalanced PON:
Pros: Construction and investment could be divided into stages.
Cons: Complicated for network designer& fiber deployment worker, selecting the right tap value sequence.
XGSPON 10Gbps would be a big difference identifying operator service from competition.
Ref: VIAVI