What is the difference between GPON and EPON?

GPON offers higher downstream bandwidth and better QoS. EPON provides symmetric bandwidth at lower cost. GPON supports split ratios up to 1:128 for wider coverage.

Which ONU/ONT is compatible with my OLT?

Our L880G and L801 series ONUs support XPON dual-mode and work with Huawei, ZTE, FiberHome and other major OLT brands. Contact support to confirm compatibility.

What is the difference between SC/APC and SC/UPC connectors?

SC/APC (Angled Physical Contact) and SC/UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) are two common fiber optic connector polish types. The key difference is the end-face angle.SC/UPC: Flat end-face with slight curve, return loss ≥50dB. Used for general-purpose data transmission. Blue color.SC/APC: 8° angled end-face, return loss ≥60dB. Used for RF video transmission (CATV) and PON networks. Green color.They are NOT interchangeable — mixing them can damage the connector end-face.

How do I choose the right fiber optic splitter for my network?

Choosing the right fiber optic splitter depends on several factors:Type: PLC splitters offer better performance for FTTx; FBT splitters suit smaller setupsRatio: Common ratios: 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, 1×32, 1×64Package: ABS box (indoor), Mini steel tube (tight spaces), LGX cassette (rack mount)Connector: SC/APC for CATV, SC/UPC for dataFor GPON/EPON FTTH deployments, a 1×8 or 1×16 PLC splitter with SC/APC connectors is recommended.

What is the maximum distance for fiber optic transmission?

Fiber optic transmission distance depends on fiber type and equipment:Single-mode fiber (OS2): Up to 40km+ without amplificationMulti-mode fiber (OM1-OM5): 300m to 550m at 10GbpsGPON: Typically 20km reachEPON: Typically 20kmXGS-PON: Up to 40km1550nm wavelength has lower attenuation (≈0.2dB/km) vs 1310nm (≈0.35dB/km). For standard GPON FTTH, 20km is typical from OLT to ONU.

How do I configure an ONU/ONT for my fiber network?

Configuring an ONU/ONT involves these steps:Connect: Plug fiber cable into PON port, Ethernet to your router/PCPower on: Wait for PON LED to turn solid (optical signal received)Access web: Set PC to same subnet (192.168.1.x), open ONU IP (usually 192.168.1.1)Configure WAN: Set connection type (PPPoE, DHCP, or Static IP) per ISP requirementsRegister: Some ISPs require registration via serial number, LOID password, or MAC address

What is XGS-PON and how is it different from GPON?

XGS-PON (10 Gigabit Symmetric PON) is the next-generation PON technology offering 10Gbps symmetric bandwidth. Key differences from GPON:Speed: GPON = 2.5Gbps down / 1.25Gbps up. XGS-PON = 10Gbps both directionsWavelength: XGS-PON uses 1577nm down / 1270nm up (different from GPON's 1490nm/1310nm)Coexistence: XGS-PON can share the same fiber with GPON via WDMXGS-PON ONUs work with dual-mode OLTs but need an XGS-PON port for 10G speeds. Ideal for 4K/8K streaming, cloud computing, and enterprise use.

How Many Homes Can One OLT Port Serve?

In GPON networks, one OLT port typically serves 32 to 128 homes, depending on the split ratio. A 1:32 splitter is most common for FTTH deployments. With XGS-PON, one port can serve 256+ subscribers. Actual capacity depends on bandwidth per user — if each user needs 100Mbps, a GPON port (2.5Gbps down) handles ~25 users at peak. For our 2-port EPON OLT (L202), each port supports up to 64 ONUs, giving a total of 128 homes per device.

How Is GPON Data Secured on Fiber Optic Networks?

GPON uses AES-128 encryption to secure downstream data. Each ONU receives only its own data — the OLT encrypts traffic with a unique key per ONU. Upstream data is inherently secure because each ONU transmits in its assigned time slot. AES encryption is enabled by default in most OLTs like our EPON/GPON models. For additional security, MAC address filtering and ONU authentication are supported.

Is Fiber Optic Cheaper Than Copper in the Long Run?

Yes. While fiber optic cabling costs 20-30% more upfront, its total cost of ownership (TCO) over 10 years is 40-60% lower than copper. Fiber supports 40Gbps+ bandwidth vs copper's 10Gbps limit, has 25+ year lifespan (copper: 5-10 years), and needs no signal repeaters for up to 40km. For ISPs, the breakeven point is typically 2-3 years. Our single-mode fiber patch cables and splitters provide reliable long-term infrastructure.

ZTE F673AV9a vs F663NV9 GPON ONT Comparison 2026

ZTE F673 vs F663 GPON ONT Series: Quick Answer

If you only remember one thing from this guide, remember this: the ZTE F673 series (F673AV9a, F673A, F673Av2) is the premium tier built around four Gigabit Ethernet (GE) ports and dual-band 2.4G/5G WiFi, while the ZTE F663 series (F663NV9, F663NV3a, F663N) is the budget tier built around one Gigabit port plus three Fast Ethernet (FE) ports and single-band 2.4G WiFi. The F673 is for users who want speed and coverage; the F663 is for cost-sensitive home users and ISPs deploying thousands of units. This guide breaks down every model so engineers and buyers can choose correctly the first time.

Full Side-by-Side Comparison (All 6 Models)

Model	Price (USD)	PON Standard	Ethernet Ports	WiFi	VoIP	USB	TR-069	Best For
ZTE F673AV9a	$116.67	GPON	4 x GE (Gigabit)	Dual-band 2.4G + 5G (802.11ac)	Yes	-	Yes	Premium home / smart home
ZTE F673A	$116.67	GPON	4 x GE (Gigabit)	Dual-band 2.4G + 5G	Yes	2 x USB	Yes	Premium home / small office
ZTE F673Av2	$160.00	GPON	4 x GE (Gigabit)	Dual-band 2.4G + 5G	Yes	USB	Yes	High-end / heavy multi-device
ZTE F663NV9	$60.00	XPON / EPON / GPON	1 x GE + 3 x FE	Single-band 2.4G	Yes	USB	Yes	Budget / ISP mass deployment (English firmware)
ZTE F663NV3a	$65.00	GPON / XPON	1 x GE + 3 x FE	Single-band 2.4G	Yes	USB	Yes	Budget home / FTTH
ZTE F663N	$47.50	GPON	1 x GE + 3 x FE + 1 POTS	Single-band 2.4G	Yes (1 POTS)	USB	-	Entry-level / lowest cost

All six are GPON-class Optical Network Terminals (ONTs / ONUs) from ZTE's ZXHN family. They share the same fiber uplink concept (a single SC/APC fiber from your OLT) but differ sharply in Ethernet speed, WiFi capability, and price.

Series Overview

ZTE F673 Series - The Premium Choice

The F673 family is ZTE's mainstream high-performance residential gateway. Every F673 model ships with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, meaning each wired device (PC, NAS, IPTV box, gaming console) can run at a full 1000 Mbps instead of being capped at 100 Mbps. Just as importantly, the F673 uses dual-band WiFi: a 2.4 GHz radio for range and legacy devices, plus a 5 GHz 802.11ac radio for high-throughput, low-interference connections. For modern homes with dozens of WiFi clients, the 5 GHz band is the difference between smooth 4K streaming and constant buffering.

F673AV9a ($116.67) - 4x GE, dual-band 2.4G/5G, VoIP, TR-069 remote management. The balanced flagship for most premium homes.
F673A ($116.67) - 4x GE, dual-band WiFi, VoIP, plus 2x USB ports for storage/printer sharing. Best for a small office that needs USB peripherals.
F673Av2 ($160.00) - The top revision with the strongest dual-band radios and USB; aimed at heavy multi-device households and demanding deployments.

ZTE F663 Series - The Budget Workhorse

The F663 family targets cost and volume. Instead of four Gigabit ports, it provides one Gigabit (GE) port plus three Fast Ethernet (FE) ports. The single GE port handles your highest-bandwidth wired device (typically the IPTV box or a primary PC), while the three FE ports at 100 Mbps cover everything else. WiFi is single-band 2.4 GHz only - perfectly adequate for browsing, IPTV and basic streaming, but without the 5 GHz capacity of the F673.

F663NV9 ($60.00) - Supports XPON / EPON / GPON auto-sensing and ships with English firmware, making it the favourite for international ISP deployments and mixed-network operators.
F663NV3a ($65.00) - GPON/XPON, 2.4G WiFi, VoIP and USB. A solid budget FTTH gateway for standard home installs.
F663N ($47.50) - The lowest-cost option: 2.4G WiFi, 1x GE + 3x FE + 1 POTS, USB. Ideal entry-level unit for the most price-driven rollouts.

WiFi Comparison: Dual-Band vs Single-Band

This is the single biggest practical difference between the two series.

F673 = Dual-band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz, 802.11ac). The 5 GHz band delivers far higher real-world throughput, handles many simultaneous devices, and avoids the crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum. Recommended for homes with 4K TVs, gaming, video calls, and 15+ connected devices.
F663 = Single-band (2.4 GHz only). Good coverage and wall penetration, lower throughput ceiling. Fine for web, email, IPTV and light streaming, especially where wired connections carry the heavy traffic.

Port Differences: GE vs FE Matters

A common buyer mistake is ignoring the difference between GE (Gigabit Ethernet, 1000 Mbps) and FE (Fast Ethernet, 100 Mbps). If your fibre plan is 200 Mbps or faster, a device plugged into an FE port will be throttled to 100 Mbps. The F673's four GE ports let every wired device reach full gigabit speeds. The F663's 1x GE + 3x FE layout means you should reserve the single GE port for your fastest device and accept 100 Mbps on the rest.

Price Comparison

Pricing follows capability. The budget F663N starts at $47.50, the F663NV9 (English, multi-PON) is $60.00, and the F663NV3a is $65.00. Stepping up to the premium F673 tier, the F673AV9a and F673A are both $116.67, and the top F673Av2 is $160.00. In short, the F673 series costs roughly 2-3x the F663 series, and you are paying for Gigabit ports and dual-band WiFi.

Which One Should You Choose? (By Use Case)

Premium home / smart home: Choose the F673AV9a or F673Av2. Gigabit wired speed and 5 GHz WiFi keep up with 4K streaming, gaming and many devices.
Small office needing USB peripherals: Choose the F673A - 4x GE plus 2x USB for shared storage/printers.
Budget home install: Choose the F663NV3a - reliable GPON, VoIP and 2.4G WiFi at a low price.
ISP / operator mass deployment (international): Choose the F663NV9 - English firmware and XPON/EPON/GPON auto-sensing simplify mixed-network rollouts.
Lowest possible cost: Choose the F663N at $47.50.

Compatible OLTs

All of these ONTs are standards-based and register with any compliant GPON OLT. They are tuned for ZTE OLTs (ZXA10 C320, C300, C600) for the smoothest TR-069/OMCI provisioning, but they also interoperate with Huawei (MA5608T, MA5680T), Fiberhome and other GPON OLTs. The F663NV9 additionally supports EPON, so it can register on EPON OLTs as well as GPON - useful for operators running both technologies.

Where to Buy

All six ZTE ZXHN models - the premium F673AV9a, F673A and F673Av2, and the budget F663NV9, F663NV3a and F663N - are available now at Langzhi Technology (langzhichina.com). We supply worldwide with English firmware options, bulk ISP pricing, and pre-configuration support. Contact us for volume quotes and OLT-matched bundles.

Conclusion

Choose the ZTE F673 series when you need Gigabit wired ports and dual-band 5 GHz WiFi for a demanding home or office. Choose the ZTE F663 series when cost and deployment volume matter more than peak speed. Match the model to the job and your fibre network will run exactly as intended.