Key Finding: Passive Optical Networks have evolved from first-generation GPON systems delivering 2. 5 Gbps to cutting-edge 50G-PON implementations in 2025, with 100G Coherent PON (CPON) technologies emerging as the next frontier for ultra-high-speed broadband delivery. In practice, PONs are typically used for the last mile between Internet service providers (ISP) and their customers. Passive Optical Networks (PON). A passive optical network (PON) or Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) is a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) network that uses a combination of active transmission equipments and passive cable components to provide network connectivity to end user's devices.