VIAVI Unveils Cesium-Free Timing Tech, Challenging Critical Infrastructure Standards
Event summary
- VIAVI Solutions launched the ePRTC360+ holdover solution, a Cesium-free alternative for precise timing.
- The ePRTC360+ meets the ITU-T G.8272.1 drift standard, previously achievable only with Cesium clocks.
- VIAVI claims the ePRTC360+ offers significantly lower cost than Cesium clocks, enabling wider deployment.
- The technology utilizes a resilient altGNSS GEO-L service and integrated anti-jamming/spoofing antennas.
- VIAVI will demonstrate the ePRTC360+ at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, March 2026.
The big picture
The launch of the ePRTC360+ reflects a growing concern over GNSS vulnerabilities and the need for resilient timing solutions across critical infrastructure. The reliance on GNSS for timing is increasingly recognized as a single point of failure, particularly as 5G networks and AI data centers demand ever-more precise synchronization. VIAVI's offering addresses a significant market need by providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive and logistically challenging Cesium clocks, potentially opening up new deployment opportunities at scale.
What we're watching
- Adoption Rate
- The speed at which operators adopt the ePRTC360+ will depend on their existing infrastructure and the perceived risk of GNSS disruptions, potentially displacing legacy Cesium clock deployments.
- GEO-L Dependence
- VIAVI's reliance on the GEO-L service introduces a new point of failure; the availability and resilience of this service will be crucial to the ePRTC360+'s overall reliability.
- Standard Evolution
- Future revisions to the ITU-T G.8272.1 standard could tighten requirements, potentially requiring VIAVI to further innovate or risk obsolescence.
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