Now the stage of providing users with access to the Internet has come when many companies have begun to use advanced technologies, for example, FTTx. It has ceased to be so expensive and difficult as it was 5-6 years ago. The market is already saturated with offers of such services. Therefore, it is worth considering the concept of FTTx in more detail. What it is, it will become clear if you delve into the technology itself.
Features
Utilization of any new technology requires the involvement of certain resources, and in this case FTTx is no exception. What it is and how it works will be described later.
FTTx is a general term that denotes a general approach to how the network cable infrastructure is formed, in which an optical fiber is pulled from the communication node to a certain point, designated as “x”, and then directly to the subscriber equipment is laid copper cable. You can lay optics directly to the device ordevice connected to the Internet. Usually only the physical layer is considered when connecting FTTx. What's this? It's just the line itself. However, the concept itself implies the use of a number of channel and network layer technologies. With broadband access, companies are able to provide a range of services to customers.
What is interesting about such networks?
The main driving force behind the development of FTTx technology currently stands out as a massive consumer demand for broadband access, which is incredibly difficult to provide using traditional ADSL. Optics has become more and more actively implemented in large cities, and now one can trace the trend towards the merger of operators of different levels. This technology is also actively used in settlements where initially access to the Internet was built on the basis of an optical path.
Market Prospects
To better understand the essence of this technology, you should consider the prospects for the development of FTTx. What's this? On the Russian territory, the formation of a market for such services depends not only on the demand for high-quality content, but also on the number of large-scale construction projects, as well as increased competition among broadband access service providers. The dynamic development of multi-family building construction has led to the fact that FTTx connection is carried out much more often than all other types of network connections. This is justified in an economic sense, and the presence of competition makes access to the network much cheaper. Not so long agooperators looked exclusively towards the corporate subscriber, and now they are increasingly showing interest in regular subscribers as well.
Construction features
Until recently, FTTx technology was used by operators who did not have their own legacy infrastructure. But in recent years, more and more companies are looking towards new networks. Among the reasons for this phenomenon are the opportunities for expanding the range of services provided, the expansion of passive networks based on optical fiber (PON), as well as the spread of Metro Ethernet, reducing the cost of equipment, the success of many operators in building networks of this type.
New look content
The FTTx Internet is growing in popularity as modern users are attracted to new types of content with the highest quality graphics and HD video. The growth of interest in video services has been the main catalyst for the growth in demand for such systems. After the center of gravity shifted from group broadcasting to individual broadcasting, subscribers' demand for dedicated bandwidth has increased, which will very soon amount to 100 megabytes per second per household.
High-definition LCD televisions are now on the rise, necessitating the need to provide customers with access to better quality television programming than analogue television can offer. Many experts consider the most logical stage of developmentIPTV. This will allow users to choose the films, programs and shows they are interested in, as well as the time when it is most convenient to watch them. That is why we can say that the mass connection of FTTx xPON is not far off. At the moment, any Internet provider is betting on investing in optical fiber, as this is an investment for decades to come, while the profit will exceed the costs many times over. This is the only way to explain such an active purchase of fiber optic lines, as well as many pilot projects, including such an innovation as laying optics directly to the subscriber's equipment.
Existing risks
FTTx xPON connectivity will not be the only option to guarantee broadband service in the coming years, but the potential of fiber optics is so high that you can be absolutely sure of a return on investment. Now the most active work is being carried out in the field of upgrading backbone networks, and the FTTx technology market, equipment and other components are at the stage of design, study and gradual testing.
What architectures exist?
Rostelecom FTTx technology can work on one of several types of architectures:
- FTTN (Fiber to the Node) - optical fiber is laid to the network node;
- FTTC (Fiber to the Curb) - fiber is extended to a microdistrict, block or several houses;
- FTTB (Fiber to the Building) - optical fiber enters buildings;
- FTTH(Fiber to the Home) - optical fiber is laid to the home.
The difference is only in the proximity of the optical cable to the user terminal. The first two solutions appeared first of all. The first of them is used now, but only as a budget and quickly implemented where there is already a copper distribution infrastructure, and it is simply unprofitable to lay an optical cable. Everyone knows the difficulties that accompany such a solution: poor quality of service associated with the special properties of copper cables, limitation on the number of connections and speed in one cable. The second type is an improved and modified version of the first, which does not have these disadvantages. The laying of copper cables in this case is carried out exclusively inside buildings, so they are not subject to all sorts of destructive factors, while the length of the lines is not so great. All these factors make it possible to achieve an improvement in speed in a section that does not use fiber optics. This offer is valid when using an FTTx xPON connection. This is focused on ADSL operators, as well as cable television operators. The implementation of such an architecture gives them the opportunity for significant savings while increasing the number of connected users. Each of them will be allocated a large bandwidth. Most often in Russia, this type is used by small grid operators.
Factors
Issues related to the placement of equipment operating on this technology depend on the whole complexreasons:
- is there any alternative infrastructure, or has nothing been used before;
- is it possible to place active equipment in the house, or are there certain restrictions for this;
- how many subscribers are supposed to be connected to the new network;
- a set of less important factors.
FTTx terminal devices can be classified according to quite specific criteria, tied specifically to the “x” point. The range of services offered by companies depends on the number and type of interfaces that the equipment uses, as well as the mechanism that controls traffic. If you want to keep the existing infrastructure, then the best option would be to use FTTC / FTTB systems with an optical uplink interface. They are suitable for use in large enterprises, business centers and residential complexes where there is a previously used copper infrastructure. To do this, you will need to place an FTTx router for each device.
Conclusion
In economic terms, the organization of networks based on fiber optic technology is most justified with a significant concentration of solvent subscribers or the construction of new residential complexes, when organizational issues for laying cables are at the stage of solution. The network must be planned so that the end point is as close to the subscriber as possible. It is best to accompany the construction of new districts by bringing it directly to the building, which will be convenient both at the beginning and in the future.
