The term 'Full Giga' is actually a marketing term referring to 'Gigabit speeds' (1 Gbps and above). It's an apt nickname for the current era of ultra-high-speed, always-connected digital life. Full Giga coincides with the global rollout of both 5G and WiFi6 ushering in wider scale of cloud computing and acceleration of AI. Full Giga switches are well on its way to powering the next generation of ultra-efficient computing devices. So, among other things, all of you can enjoy seamless streaming of high-definition (4K and 8K) video content without buffering. Lag-free online gaming and immersive experiences like AR and VR are will also be within reach due to Full Giga.
Central Role of PoE
For us, what is relevant is the fusion of Full Giga with its cousin, Power over Ethernet. The new range of PoE switches from Geonix embodies the essence of Full Giga as it ensures faster data transfer and lower latency. We have been watching the PoE market for quite some time, and I would like to predict that 2026 is the year when PoE switches truly gain mass popularity in India. Once primarily used for IP cameras in India, PoE is now powering a diverse ecosystem of modern networked devices. These include VoIP phones, WAPs, smart LED lighting, POS terminals, Smart Clocks, IoT door bells, IP Speakers, and various sensors just to mention a few popular devices.
Figure 1 Giga PoE has infused life into many devices
Typical power output levels per port are 15W, 30W and 60W, depending on the standard being used (PoE, PoE+, PoE++). However, the day is not far when entire office PCs and workstations can be powered through PoE, with typical power loads from 60 to 150 Watts. Visit this page again 12 months from now, and let us know if your office PC is now PoE powered.
Multiple Options
Let me quickly recap for you the types of PoE switches prevalent in the marketplace right now, you so you can quickly understand the main differences and determine what is apt for you. In case you are wondering, you certainly connect non PoE devices to PoE switches. They auto-negotiate with the end device, and if no power is requested, no power is sent.
Figure 2: Quick recap of the types of PoE Switches
IoT Finally Enabled
As smart technologies continue to advance, Full Giga PoE will play an increasingly vital role in future networks and IoT applications, and Geonix's deep foray into this genre, comes at the ideal time when the Indian market is receptive to the influx of many new PoE enabled devices. Internet of Things (IoT) has featured in technology parlance for over a decade, but my personal view is that it has come of age due to the rise of PoE. It is PoE that is the crucial enabling technology that simplifies deployment and enhances the capabilities of IoT devices. PoE has been vital in a major hurdle to widespread IoT adoption (the need for a separate power source near every device).
Widespread Usage
Full Giga has gained widespread usage in airports, townships, college campuses and other major extended facilities. You can access a great Case Study here (https://www.omnitronsystems.com/case-studies/poe-case-study-airport-surveillance-and-wi-fi-connectivity), where the facility has deployed a hub and spoke method to deploy many PoE enabled devices. We have found that Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is often cited as a smart airport benchmark for PoE-based infrastructure. London's Heathrow also is on the cutting edge when it comes to PoE. In fact, a survey shows that the 7 main airports of Europe have thousands of PoE based IP CCTV cameras and IP based wayfinding digital displays.
Figure 3 Heathrow and Schiphol are the two airports in Europe which are running many devises on Giga PoE
SPF Port - a tour de force
We are truly excited about the possibilities afforded by SFP. This little port, which looks like a hollow cavity, is indeed a crucial enabler in modern networking, never before has there been so much scalability, and versatility. Not to mention speed. Depending on the type of transceiver you can get up to 10 gigs of speed. For us what most important is 'Future-Proofing'. SFP ports can help organizations adapt their network infrastructure to new technologies and changing needs without replacing the core equipment.
We believe the combination of SFP uplinks and PoE switching is rapidly becoming the backbone of modern networks from smart buildings to smart cities. 2026 will see these technologies emerging and becoming mainstream.
Both the technologies covered in this article … Full Giga and PoE, in unison or separately, will considerably transform the ICT space, and in doing so, will positively impact all our lives. What do you think? Share your comments with us and your experiences with both Full Giga and PoE.