This paper presents some results of a SuperPON (lab) demonstrator. The SuperPON is an ATM based passive optical (access) network, intended to support a large split (greater than 2000), and a long range (80 km, of which 70 km in the feeder section, and 10 km in the drop). The overall network capacity is 2.5 Gbit/s TDM downstream at 1550 nm, and 155 Mbit/s TDMA upstream at 1310 nm. The first (lab) demonstrator has been built around an APON system, into which a 2.5 Gbit/s downstream upgrade has been introduced, together with optical amplification to overcome large network losses. This optical amplification consists of EDFAs in the downstream, and switched SOAs in the upstream direction. On the demonstrator set-up, various measurements have been performed to look for the acheivable power budget that can be tolerated in the different network sections. The demonstrator does not only show the feasibility of the architecture and optical technologies, but also demonstrates the capabilities of real services.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.