FTTx - what is it? FTTx Technologies

Now came the stage of providing users with access to the Internet, when many companies began to use advanced technologies, for example, FTTx. It 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 becomes clear if you go deep into the technology itself.

Features

To use any new technology requires the involvement of certain resources, and in this case is not an exception and FTTx. What this is and how it works will be described further.

FTTx is a general term by which the general approach to the formation of a networked cable infrastructure is described, in which an optical fiber is pulled from the communication node to a certain point, designated as "x", and then a copper cable is laid directly to the subscriber equipment. You can lay the optics and directly to a device or device that works on the Internet. Normally, only the physical layer is considered when connecting to FTTx. What is it? It's just the line itself. However, the concept itself implies the use of a whole range of channel-level and network-level technologies. Thanks to broadband access, companies are able to provide customers with a whole range of services.

What is interesting about such networks?

As the main engine for the development of FTTx technology at the moment, there is a massive consumer demand for broadband access, which is incredibly difficult to provide, using traditional ADSL. Optics are increasingly being introduced in large cities, and now you can trace the trend to merge operators of different levels. This technology is also actively used in settlements where access to the Internet was initially based on the optical path.

Prospects of market development

To better understand the essence of this technology, you should consider the development prospects of FTTx. What is it? In the Russian territory, the formation of the 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 the increased competition among broadband service providers. The dynamic development of multi-apartment building led to the fact that FTTx connection is much more frequent than all other types of network connections. This is justifiable in the economic sense, and the availability of competition makes access to the network much cheaper. Not so long ago, operators looked exclusively toward the corporate subscriber, and now they are increasingly showing interest in ordinary subscribers.

Features of the construction

Until recently, FTTx technology was used by operators who did not have their own infrastructure of the old generations. But in recent years, 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 fiber (PON), as well as the expansion of Metro Ethernet, the reduction in equipment costs, the success of many operators in the construction of networks of this type.

New content

Internet FTTx is becoming more popular due to the fact that modern users are attracted to new types of content with graphics of the highest quality and high-definition video. As the main catalyst for the growth in demand for such systems, there has been a growing interest in video services. After the center of gravity moved from group broadcasting to individual, the needs of subscribers in allocated bandwidths increased, which will very soon be up to 100 megabytes per second per household.

Now LCD TVs of high definition are actively sold, which makes it necessary to provide customers with access to television programs of better quality than what television can offer in analog format. The most logical stage of development, many experts consider IP-TV. This will allow users to select films, programs and shows of interest, as well as the time when they will most conveniently be watched. That's why we can say that the mass connection of FTTx xPON is not far off. At the moment, any Internet provider makes bets on investing in optical fiber, since this investment is for decades ahead, the profit will surpass costs many times over. This is the only way to explain such an active purchase of fiber lines, as well as a number of pilot projects, including such an innovation as the laying of optics directly to the subscriber's equipment.

Existing risks

Connecting FTTx xPON in the coming years will not be the only option that guarantees the provision of broadband access services, but the potential of the fiber-optic structure is so high that you can be absolutely sure of the return of the invested financial resources. Now the most active work is in the field of modernization of backbone networks, and the FTTx technology market, equipment and other components are at the design, study and gradual stage .

What are the architectures?

Technology Rostelecom FTTx can work in 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 stretched to a neighborhood, quarter or several houses;

- FTTB (Fiber to the Building) - optical fiber enters buildings;

- FTTH (Fiber to the Home) - fiber is laid to the home.

Their difference consists only in the proximity of the optical cable to the user terminal. The first two solutions appeared first of all. The first one is used now, but only as a budgetary and quickly implemented where there is already a copper distribution infrastructure, and an optical cable is simply unprofitable to lay. Everyone knows the difficulties that accompany such a decision: low quality of services, coupled with the special properties of copper cables, limiting the number of connections and speeds in a single cable. The second type is an improved and modified version of the first, which does not have these drawbacks. The laying of copper cables in this case is carried out exclusively inside buildings, therefore they are not subject to all destructive factors, thus the length of lines is not so great. All these factors allow achieving an improvement in speed in a section that does not use fiber. A similar sentence applies if you use the FTTx xPON connection. It is aimed at ADSL operators, as well as cable TV operators. The implementation of such an architecture gives them the opportunity for significant savings when increasing the number of connected users. Each of them will be allocated a large bandwidth. Most often in Russia this type is used by operators of small networks.

Factors

The issues related to the placement of equipment operating on this technology depend on a whole range of reasons:

- whether there is any alternative infrastructure, or before that nothing has been used;

- whether it is possible to place active equipment in the house, or there are certain restrictions for this;

- how many subscribers are expected to be connected to the new network;

- a set of less important factors.

End FTTx-devices can be classified according to very specific criteria, tied to the point "x". 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 the traffic. If you want to keep the existing infrastructure, the best option is to use FTTC / FTTB systems with optical uplink-interface. They are suitable for large-scale enterprises, business centers and residential complexes where there is a previously used copper infrastructure. To do this, you will need to install a FTTx router from each device.

Conclusion

Economically, 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 on laying cables are at the decision stage. The network must be planned so that the end point is closer to the subscriber, as far as possible. The construction of new areas is best accompanied by bringing it directly to the building, which will be convenient both in the beginning and in the future.