Broadband Delivery and FTTx

Many implementations use existing copper cabling to deliver signal to the premises, but fiber-optic cable connectivity is making its way closer to the subscriber. Most networks use a combination of both copper and fiber-optic cabling. The term fiber to the x (FTTx) describes how far into the network fiber-optic cabling runs before a switch to copper cabling takes place. Both PON and Active Ethernet can use fiber-optic portion of the network, while xDSL is typically used on the copper portion. This means that a single fiber-optic strand may support multiple copper-based subscribers.

Increasing the use of fiber in the network increases cost but it also increases network access speed to each subscriber.

The following terms are used to describe the termination point of fiber-optic cable in a network:

• Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Fiber to the Business (FTTB)—Fiber extends all the way to the subscriber. PON is most common for residential access, although Active Ethernet can be efficiently used in dense areas such as apartment complexes. Active Ethernet is more common for delivering services to businesses.
• Fiber to the Curb (FTTC)—Fiber extends most of the way (typically, 500 feet/150 meters or less) to the subscriber. Existing copper is used for the remaining distance to the subscriber.
• Fiber to the Node/Neighborhood (FTTN)—Fiber extends to within a few thousand feet of the subscriber and converted to xDSL for the remaining distance to the subscriber.
• Fiber to the Exchange (FTTE)—A typical central office-based xDSL implementation in which fiber is used to deliver traffic to the central office and xDSL is used on the existing local loop.

Related Topics

• Broadband Service Delivery Options

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