This is the first time low latency, low loss, scalable throughput (L4S) technology has been deployed, end to end, on a FTTH connection
Vodafone and Nokia have trialled a new tech on a live commercial fibre broadband network, which cut latency during apps like gaming, videoconferencing and streaming by up to 94%, they say. The trial was carried out on Vodafone Türkiye’s FTTH network in Istanbul (pictured), from the network the in-home Wi-Fi.
Vodafone and Nokia Bell Labs reduced latency on multiple customer lines engaged in video conferencing and cloud gaming applications, reducing round-trip delay from 220 milliseconds to 4.7ms. According to the press statement, the trial is the world’s first live deployment of low latency, low loss, scalable throughput or L4S technology, end to end, on a FTTH connection.
It follows a joint Vodafone and Nokia lab trial last year using PON, which is the foundation of most home fibre broadband, but L4S is can also be deployed over mobile and fixed networks. Nokia is the key vendor for Vodafone Türkiye’s FTTH network and played what it says was “a central role in enabling this world-first implementation”.
Vodafone plans to conduct more tests before looking to deploy the technology across its European markets. Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer of Vodafone, said: “We are raising the bar on quality for fibre broadband by significantly lowering latency. Our world-first trial underlines our commitment to innovate and deliver an enhanced service to customers across Europe.”
Developed by Nokia Bell Labs and backed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), L4S tackles queuing delays, a major cause of lag, caused by data packets getting stuck in network buffers, such as in routers or modems.
