An OLT PON port can theoretically support up to 64 ONUs in EPON and up to 128 ONUs in GPON. However, the ideal split ratio depends on multiple real-world factors including bandwidth demand, service type, fiber distance, and optical power loss. In fiber optic networks, especially in FTTx deployments, the number of Optical Network Units (ONUs) that a single PON port on an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) can support directly affects network planning, cost-efficiency, and service scalability. In this article, we'll explain the concept of split. By dividing a single optical signal from a central Optical Line Terminal (OLT) into multiple outputs for Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) at users' homes, splitters eliminate the need for dedicated fibers to each residence—slashing infrastructure costs while scaling network reach. 1x32 splits were common in North America for G-PON architectures. According to the Broadband Forum, PLC splitters are essential for achieving scalable and cost-effective GPON and XGS-PON deployment in access networks. Then, feeder fibers connect splitter ports to the end customer via a hub or drop terminal, again. The most common splitters deployed in a PON system is a uniform power splitter with a 1:N or 2:N splitter ratio, where N is the number of output ports. The optical input power is distributed uniformly across all output ports.
