A network element implementing an optical network unit (ONU) that is configured to improve efficiency in a passive optical network (PON), the ONU connected to an optical line terminal (OLT) over an optical line, the ONU connected with an aggregating ONU (AG-ONU) in the PON through an alternate connection separate from the PON, the ONU improving protection (maintenance) cost and energy efficiency for the PON by entering a sleep mode that disables communication with the OLT over the optical line to reduce energy consumption when the ONU is idle, the ONU to restart communication with the OLT over the optical line upon receipt of data traffic, the ONU including an alternate connection module configured to communicate with the AG-ONU; and a network processor configured to execute a quality of service module, an AG-ONU monitor module, a traffic forwarding module and a power management module.