In one embodiment, a passive optical network is provided that includes: an optical line terminal (OLT) configured to transmit a plurality of downstream signals into a corresponding plurality of passive optical networks and to receive a corresponding plurality of upstream signals from the plurality of passive optical networks, wherein each downstream signal is separated in wavelength from the remaining wavelength signals, and wherein each upstream signal is separated in wavelength from the remaining upstream signal; a Mux/Demux configured to multiplex the downstream signals from the OLT into a optical fiber and to demultiplex upstream signals from the optical fibers to the OLT; and a splitter configured to split the downstream signals from the OLT to a plurality of optical network units such that each optical network unit receives the plurality of downstream signals.