Which type of PON access architecture replaced asynchronous PON (APON)?

The correct answer is GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network). GPON was developed to succeed the Asynchronous PON (APON) technology by providing higher bandwidth and improved efficiency in delivering triple play services (voice, video, and data). One of the key advancements of GPON over APON is its use of a more efficient encapsulation method and support for higher data rates, which allows it to meet the growing demands for high-speed internet and better quality of service.

GPON utilizes a single wavelength for upstream and downstream data transmission, maximizing the capacity of the fiber infrastructure and enabling service providers to deliver services more effectively. This transition from APON to GPON marked an important evolution in passive optical network technology, addressing limitations such as bandwidth constraints and increasing the overall throughput for end users.

In contrast, EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network) and 10G-EPON were later developments in the optical networking field that focus on providing Ethernet-based solutions. Although they offer their own set of advantages, particularly in terms of compatibility with existing Ethernet networks, they did not directly replace APON; rather, they represent alternative approaches to PON technology. BPON (Broadband PON) is also an earlier technology that shared similarities with APON but