Passive Optical Network Apparatus and Methods

A method of installing an optical access network, the method comprising:

• installing an apparatus at a node of the optical access network, the apparatus comprising:
• wavelength division multiplexing optical line termination apparatus comprising an optical interface for interfacing with a plurality of remote optical network units in a passive optical network using a plurality of wavelength channels, and a plurality of electrical first ports corresponding to the optical wavelength channels;
• a plurality of second ports for interfacing with at least two operator networks;
• and
• an electrical switching matrix for interconnecting the first ports and the second ports;
• and
• for each optical network unit of the passive optical network requiring connection, configuring the switching matrix to interconnect a first port, corresponding to an optical wavelength channel used by that optical network unit, and a second port corresponding to a required operator network for that optical network unit.

A method of upgrading an optical access network comprising an apparatus at a node of the optical access network, the apparatus comprising:

• wavelength division multiplexing optical line termination apparatus comprising an optical interface for interfacing with a plurality of remote optical network units in a passive optical network using a plurality of wavelength channels, and a plurality of electrical first ports corresponding to the optical wavelength channels;
• a plurality of second ports for interfacing with at least two operator networks;
• and
• an electrical switching matrix for interconnecting the first ports and the second ports;
• wherein the switching matrix is configured to interconnect a first port, corresponding to an optical wavelength channel used by an optical network unit, and a second port corresponding to a first operator network for that optical network unit,
• and wherein the method comprises:
• reconfiguring the switching matrix to interconnect the said first port, corresponding to the optical wavelength channel used by the optical network unit, and another second port corresponding to a different required operator network for that optical network unit.