Entry into All-Optical Networks for Low-Voltage Engineering Contractors vOLT64 Cost-Effective Implementation Solution

AINOPOL – Provider of All-Optical Converged Solutions.

How can low-voltage engineering contractors enter the all-optical network market with low risks?

The vOLT64 modular GPON OLT delivers a cost-effective solution.

When undertaking small and medium-sized all-optical network projects, low-voltage engineering contractors often face three major obstacles: high cost of traditional OLT equipment, high technical barriers, and long construction cycles.

The AINOPOL vOLT64 (ZH-VOLT64) is a modular GPON OLT packaged in SFP+ form factor. It supports 2.5Gbps downstream and 1.25Gbps upstream, and can connect up to 64 GPON ONU terminals.

This article helps engineering contractors enter the all-optical network market with lower investment and enhance project competitiveness.

Providing Replicable All-Optical Network Implementation Methods for Low-Voltage Contractors

Demand for Passive Optical Network (POL) solutions is growing rapidly in campuses, hotels, office buildings and other scenarios.

However, traditional solutions require contractors to possess professional PON technical capabilities, together with high equipment costs, leaving many small and medium-sized engineering contractors hesitant to participate.

The launch of the vOLT64 has changed the situation.

This article aims to provide low-voltage engineering contractors with a standardized process covering project evaluation, solution design, construction deployment and acceptance delivery.

It enables contractors to successfully deliver all-optical network projects based on their existing data network knowledge, while improving profit margins.

Three Major Barriers for Low-Voltage Contractors Undertaking All-Optical Network Projects

How vOLT64 Delivers a Cost-Effective Solution for Engineering Contractors

Cost Advantage: Modular Procurement, Investment on Demand

The vOLT64 adopts SFP+ packaging and can be directly inserted into existing switches or routers that support 2.5G rate, owned by contractors or customers.

There is no need to purchase a standalone OLT chassis. The cost of a single module is roughly one-tenth of a traditional OLT.

For small and medium-sized projects with 50–150 network points, the overall equipment investment can be kept within a reasonable budget.

Comparison with traditional solutions:

A traditional 4-port GPON OLT costs about 15,000 to 30,000 RMB, plus additional expenses for cabinets and power supplies.

By contrast, deploying the vOLT64 module together with a small number of 2.5G switches (if newly added) results in a significantly lower total investment.

Lower Technical Barrier: Plug-and-Play with Automatic Registration

The vOLT64 is embedded with an automatic registration function, eliminating the need for complex ONU binding command configurations.

After powering on, GPON ONUs automatically register with the vOLT64. Contractors only need to ensure correct fiber connection and qualified optical power.

The module transparently transmits all VLAN tags by default, and upper-layer VLAN division follows the familiar Ethernet configuration methods that contractors already master.

This allows engineering contractors to deploy all-optical networks without in-depth study of PON protocol details.

Host Device Compatibility Handling

The vOLT64 requires the SFP port of the host switch or router to support a 2.5G rate.

Contractors shall inspect the customer’s existing equipment during the project evaluation phase:

If the switch has native 2.5G SFP ports, it can be used directly.

If equipped with 10G SFP+ ports, verify whether the port supports forced 2.5G rate (most enterprise-class switches are compatible).

If the customer only has 1G SFP ports, two low-cost solutions are available:

vOLT64 vs Traditional OLT vs Copper Cable Solution

Featuring modular design, low cost and low technical barriers, the vOLT64 greatly lowers the entry threshold for low-voltage engineering contractors to access the all-optical network market.

Contractors no longer need to purchase expensive chassis-based OLT devices or configure complex command lines.

With only basic knowledge of optical fiber cabling and Ethernet configuration, they can deliver cost-effective all-optical network projects.

In line with national policies promoting 10G optical networks and FTTR, contractors who build all-optical network capabilities in advance will gain differentiated competitive advantages in the marketplace.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum splitting ratio supported by the vOLT64?

A: The GPON standard allows up to 1:64. However, it is recommended to design according to the optical power budget; a ratio within 1:32 is generally stable and reliable.

Q: The customer already has a 1G SFP switch and refuses to replace it. Is there a workaround?

A: You can add a compact 2.5G switch (4–8 ports with controllable cost). Insert the vOLT64 into this new switch, then interconnect it with the customer’s core switch via Gigabit electrical or optical ports. Although the upstream bandwidth of the vOLT64 will be limited, it still meets the demands of projects with a small number of network points.

Q: Under the vOLT64 solution, how to replace a faulty ONU quickly?

A: Standard GPON ONUs support plug-and-play. Contractors can keep a small stock of identical ONU models. A replacement unit will automatically register and go online on site without any reconfiguration required.

Q: How should engineering contractors quote for projects?

A: It is recommended to price by network information points:

Equipment cost (vOLT64 + optical splitter + ONU) + optical fiber cabling construction fee + commissioning service fee.

Compared with traditional copper cabling solutions, optical fiber wiring costs are lower while equipment cost is slightly higher, enabling overall competitive quoting.

In accordance with MIIT standard YD/T 6442-2025 Technical Requirements for Broadband Customer Network Interconnection over Public Telecommunication Networks — Fiber to the Room — Management, the design, construction and acceptance of FTTR networks shall follow standardized procedures.

T/CECA 20002-2019 Technical Standard for Passive Optical LAN Engineering issued by China Engineering & Consulting Association provides contractors with full-process technical specifications for POL systems from design through acceptance.

The ITU-T G.984 series international standards guarantee interoperability between the vOLT64 and mainstream GPON ONU terminals.

The MIIT official notice Notice on Launching 10G Optical Network Pilot Work (MIIT Communication Letter〔2025〕No.3) clarifies the promotion direction of all-optical networks in scenarios such as campuses and hotels.

By deploying the vOLT64 together with optical gateways, contractors can build mature POL solutions for all-optical hotels, smart campuses and other scenarios, seizing opportunities amid the digital transformation wave.