Method for allocating bandwidth for voice service in a Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network

A bandwidth allocation method for an optical line termination (OLT) in a Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (GE-PON) having one OLT and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) coupled to the OLT, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) transmitting a registration request grant message for granting an opportunity for transmitting a registration request signal from the OLT to the ONUs in a GE-PON band allocation request frame;
• b) determining the number of ONUs that transmitted registration request messages in response to the registration request grant message in the GE-PON band allocation request frame;
• and
• c) segmenting a single time slot into a plurality of minislots, segmenting a partial bandwidth of each of the segmented minislots so as to accommodate the ONUs, and allocating the segmented bandwidths to the ONUs that transmitted the registration request messages as voice bands in the GE-PON band allocation request frame.