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Network access provider Openreach (BT) are preparing to introduce a new Optical Network Terminal (ONT) on their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband lines in 2027. The Zyxel PM7302 (pictured) is primarily intended to underpin the operator’s new 10Gbps capable (XGS-PON) full fibre lines.
The ONT (or optical modem / ONU) device is typically installed inside your home or office, near to where the fibre optic cable physically enters your property, and its primary job is simply to take the optical signal and convert it into an electrical one that can then be connected to your broadband router via an Ethernet (LAN/WAN) port. The standard ONT is a small single port device for one FTTP line.
At present most of the operator’s FTTP network is based off older and slower Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology, although Openreach are currently piloting speeds of up to 8.5Gbps via the latest XGS-PON technology (the ‘X’ stands for 10, the ‘G’ for Gigabits’ and the ‘S’ for Symmetric speed). Openreach are partly using the Adtran SDX631 ONT for this (they also use some other 10Gbps capable models), but they appear to be planning to stop installing those in early 2027 when they’ll switch to the Zyxel PM7302.