Verizon (NYSE: VZ) has completed a field test of its FiOS network, which is based on GPON, or gigabit passive optical network technology. With a theoretical maximum of 2.4Gbps download pipe and 1.2Gbps upstream, the test yielded a speed of more than 800mbps to a business customer located 400 miles away. To underscore the feat, the same test, which was conducted using a local server achieved only a marginally faster speed of 925Mbps.

The actual throughput for a standard Gigabit Ethernet connection is far lower than 1Gbps. With 800Mbps in throughput as reported by PCWorld, the transfer rates in Verizon's test are in effect somewhat superior.

Before you starting calling Verizon to subscribe to this service, note that the fastest speed service available to Verizon customers today is 50Mbps, though the company says it has plans to offer 100Mbps soon. Anyway, the throughput achieved in the test is also shared at the GPON node, though the test does offer a glimpse of the future possibilities on its fiber optic network.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Ars Technica
- check out this article at PCWorld
- check out this article at CNET News

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