SFR & Nokia leverage the best of fixed and mobile networks to successfully test 100G PON and Open RAN technologies

SFR and Nokia have just completed the first ultra-fast 100 Gbps FTTH fiber optic connection at the SFR TechnoLab in Vélizy, as well as the first OPEN RAN connection integrated into the 5G SA commercial network equipment. By aggregating three frequency bands, this connection has enabled speeds close to 2 Gbps to be achieved.

In its Vélizy laboratory, SFR, with its partner Nokia, is exploring the technical architectures of tomorrow’s fixed and mobile technologies and has successfully tested the first 100 Gbps FTTH connection in France. This revolutionary technology promises to offer speeds 10 times faster than those of the fastest services currently available in France (such as the XGS-PON already marketed by SFR). 

During a test conducted at SFR’s Vélizy test lab, the new Nokia 100G PON technology achieved download speeds of 82 Gbps. The test was conducted on SFR’s existing 100% fiber network, which is already available to 40 million homes in France.

While the speeds offered today satisfy the vast majority of use cases, the prospects offered by these tests provide reassurance regarding the future developments of the fiber network, which is becoming the main very high-speed access network in the coming years and will remain the most efficient. 

SFR was the first to launch XGS-PON (10G) in France with its 8X box starting in February 2022. 25G-PON service tests are underway, using Nokia access equipment deployed on its network. Nokia already markets 25G PON equipment and has just completed a 50G PON trial in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other markets. 

At the same time, SFR and Nokia have also been experimenting with “OPEN RAN” radio technology, which allows operators to use radio equipment from different suppliers thanks to new open interfaces. Open RAN technology will offer operators greater flexibility in building their networks and thus facilitate innovation. 

For the first time in France, this experiment was conducted with a commercial Nokia Airscale base station, widely deployed on the SFR network, interconnected with third-party radio modules operating in the 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands. The full-scale test enabled a 5G SA connection between a commercial terminal and the commercial 5G SA core by aggregating the three frequency bands to achieve speeds close to 2 Gbps.

SFR was the first operator to launch 5G SA, the most advanced version of this technology for professional use cases such as network slicing, which allows bandwidth to be reserved.

Marketed under the name 5G+ by SFR Business since December 2023 and enhanced with two options launched at the end of 2024, the offer is now available in major urban areas.

Through these new experiments, SFR and Nokia are reinforcing the importance of telecom operators and equipment manufacturers in the digital world through the essential infrastructure they provide.

Olivier Tailfer, Executive Director of Networks at SFR: “Working with Nokia on the infrastructure of tomorrow is not only stimulating for the technology enthusiasts we are at SFR, but above all holds great promise for all industries. Beyond our daily commitment to deploying and densifying our networks, we are committed to this collaboration with a leading partner to maximize technological performance and continually improve speeds. It is our responsibility as an operator to explore the full potential of this equipment to accelerate service development, anticipate the needs of individuals, and foster business innovation.” 

Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President and Head of Europe for Network Infrastructure business at Nokia, said: “We are seeing strong demand for high-speed Internet access in Europe, with both end users and businesses increasingly seeking reliable, secure, and high-quality broadband connectivity. Our platforms provide operators, like SFR, with the tools they need to increase speed, deliver superior performance, automate functions, and future-proof their fiber optic networks. Our fiber optic technology offers the ideal solution for operators looking to quickly increase their capacity and flexibly migrate to next-generation fiber optic technologies.