Is it worth switching to XG‑PON and speeds up to 10 Gbps?

Gigabit internet in Odesa is no longer a rarity - in 2026, more than 72% of new connections are made using GPON technology with speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. High-quality online video, cloud services, remote work, gaming, and constantly connected smart devices create a stable load on the network in almost every apartment.

Against this background, a logical question appears: what comes after gigabit internet? The answer is XG-PON, the ITU-T G.987 standard, which provides up to 10 Gbit/s downstream to the subscriber. The technology has existed for more than ten years, but only now are providers beginning to roll out its infrastructure on a large scale.

This is not just faster internet, but a new level of network infrastructure. XG-PON makes it possible to handle the growing number of devices and data volumes without losing stability. 

What XG-PON is and how it works

Gigabit internet using XG-PON technology is transmitted over optical fiber from the provider’s node directly to the subscriber. Along the way, the signal is split between users through passive splitters: this is why the network is called PON, meaning passive optical. This architecture provides a stable fiber-optic connection even under significant load and scales easily as the number of subscribers grows.

The main idea of XG-PON is not simply to increase gigabit internet speed, but to create a bandwidth reserve for the future: more devices, more high-quality streaming video, more cloud services working at the same time.

How XG-PON differs from GPON

GPON is the technology on which most fiber-optic connections in Ukraine are built today. It is a reliable, widely available solution for gigabit internet that has proven itself over years of operation. XG-PON is the next stage of the same architecture, not a replacement from scratch. In real conditions, the difference between a GPON connection and XG-PON is felt primarily in stability: the network does not slow down in the evening when dozens of devices are active at the same time.

Who really needs internet faster than 1 Gbit/s

Speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s sound impressive, but in practice not everyone needs them. For most standard tasks - social media, YouTube, online cinemas, or several smartphones in an apartment - modern gigabit internet is already more than enough.
But there are scenarios where switching to XG-PON makes a noticeable difference.

Home users

The load on home internet has changed significantly in recent years. Previously, the main traffic consumer was one PC. Today, in a large family, 3-4 Smart TVs streaming in 4K or 8K, many smartphones, laptops and computers, game consoles, video surveillance cameras and IoT devices, personal mail or game servers, and much more can work at the same time. All of this together creates a peak load where even classic gigabit can begin to slow down. This is where next-generation fiber-optic connection provides an advantage: a stable network without speed loss in the evening hours, when all devices are active at once. For such scenarios, home internet on XG-PON becomes a logical solution for an apartment or private house.

Small and medium-sized business

For business, internet speed is no longer a matter of comfort, but a condition for stable operation. XG-PON is relevant for offices with many employees, IP telephony, video surveillance systems, cloud CRMs and SaaS platforms, as well as regular backup of large data volumes.

In such scenarios, not only maximum speed matters, but also channel stability under constant load. A GPON connection handles basic tasks, but when dozens of employees work at the same time, the bandwidth reserve of XG-PON becomes a tangible advantage.

Data centers and ISP partners

For data centers, telecom operators, and partner networks, XG-PON is already a working scaling tool, not a future technology. Traffic aggregation, increasing node capacity, connecting apartment complexes, and upgrading existing GPON segments - this is where the technology shows its full potential.

How to connect next-generation gigabit internet

Switching to XG-PON is not just a tariff change. To connect next-generation gigabit internet and actually get the declared speed, you need to go through the following three steps.

1: Check whether XG-PON is available in your building

Even if a GPON connection already works in your building, this does not automatically mean support for 2.5G or 10G speeds. The provider checks the technical readiness of the optical equipment and the possibility of connection at your specific address.

XG-PON availability may vary, so for those looking for gigabit internet in Odesa, it is important to clarify the connection type directly with the BRIZ internet provider.

2: What equipment is needed

To actually use speeds above 1 Gbit/s, a standard router is no longer enough. The bottleneck is often not the provider’s fiber, but the subscriber’s home equipment. For 2.5G and 10G tariffs, you need:

• a modern ONU terminal with XG-PON support 
• a router with a 2.5G or 10GbE port 
• a cable of at least Cat5e category to connect the terminal to the router
• a network card with high-speed Ethernet support 

3: Gigabit internet - price and tariffs

Several options are available for home users:

The connection cost is higher than standard gigabit, given the higher cost of the required equipment. For most home users, the optimal entry point is the 2.5G tariff as a compromise between price and a real advantage over classic gigabit. If you need a fast start without complicated compromises, it is worth considering home internet with a speed reserve for several years ahead.

What comes next: XGS-PON and 25G-PON

XG-PON is not the final point, but one of the stages in the development of optical networks. The industry is already moving further, and understanding this direction helps assess how justified investments in next-generation gigabit internet are today.

The next standard, XGS-PON, provides symmetrical 10 Gbit/s: the same speed for both downloading and uploading data. This is a fundamental difference for business, data centers, content makers, and everyone who regularly sends large volumes of data to the cloud. Even further on the horizon is the 25G-PON standard, which is already being tested by major telecom operators around the world.

The main reason for this development is the constant growth of traffic. GPON fiber-optic connection is already reaching the limits of its bandwidth in densely populated areas. That is why Odesa providers, including Briz, are already modernizing their infrastructure for new-generation standards instead of waiting for the moment when networks begin to struggle with load.

Frequently asked questions:

Is 10 Gbit/s needed for home use?
Technological innovators, perfectionists, trendsetters, connoisseurs of uncompromising quality.

What equipment is needed for XG-PON?
A new-generation ONU terminal with XG-PON support, a router with a 2.5G or 10GbE port, and a cable of at least Cat5e category are needed.

Is XG-PON compatible with old GPON equipment?
The fiber-optic connection remains the same, but the subscriber terminal needs to be replaced with a new-generation one.

How to check the real speed after connection?
Test only through a cable connection to the router. Wi-Fi causes significant losses and does not reflect the real speed.

How long does XG-PON connection take?
Usually 1 business day, depending on technical readiness.

Connect XG-PON with Briz: for home and business in Odesa

Optical network technologies are developing faster than most users manage to notice. What was considered a corporate solution just three years ago is now becoming an accessible standard for an ordinary apartment or office.

The question is no longer whether next-generation gigabit internet will appear in your area, but when exactly you decide to use this opportunity.

Briz internet provider has made this step available to everyone: both home users and businesses. Fiber-optic connection based on the XG-PON standard with 2.5G tariffs from 499 UAH/month and 10G from 1,699 UAH/month, without hidden payments or unnecessary complications. Check availability at your address and find out whether your network is ready for the next level.