Abstract
A variety of digital technologies can be used for effective implementation of access networks in fast growing (global) markets. The relative challenge becomes of greater importance, due to the extended penetration and the wider (technical and business) adoption of the much-promising broadband perspective (Chochliouros & Spiliopoulou, 2005). Regarding the four different (and actually “primary”) media that can be used to reach several categories of end-users (namely, copper, fiber, air, and power lines), Figure 1 demonstrates possible alternatives that can currently be used in all related cases.
TopIntroduction
A variety of digital technologies can be used for effective implementation of access networks in fast growing (global) markets. The relative challenge becomes of greater importance, due to the extended penetration and the wider (technical and business) adoption of the much-promising broadband perspective (Chochliouros & Spiliopoulou, 2005). Regarding the four different (and actually “primary”) media that can be used to reach several categories of end-users (namely, copper, fiber, air, and power lines), Figure 1 demonstrates possible alternatives that can currently be used in all related cases.
Figure 1. Available access technologies
Key Terms in this Chapter
Fiber To The Home (FTTH): Where fiber-optic networks have been deployed, if the fiber is installed right into the home, then this is known as FTTH. Once in the home, there will be a box installed to convert the light into electrical signals.
Fibre-To-The-Curb/Cabinet (FTTC): Network where an optical fibre runs from the telephone switch to a curb-side distribution point close to the subscriber where it is converted to copper pair.
Downstream (DS): Transmission in the direction of line termination towards network termination (network to customer premises).
DSL: Generic term for the family of DSL technologies, including HDSL, ADSL, VDSL, and so on.
Upstream (US): Transmission in the direction of network termination towards line termination (customer premises to network).
Local Loop: In telephony, a local loop is the wired connection from a telephone company’s office (local exchange) in a locality to its customers’ telephones at homes and businesses. This connection is usually on a pair of copper wires called “twisted pair.”
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM): It is a network device, usually at a telephone company local exchange or central office, that receives signals from multiple customer Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections and puts the signals on a high-speed backbone line using multiplexing techniques.
Ethernet: It refers to the most widely installed local area network (LAN) technology (specified in the IEEE 802.3 standard). An Ethernet LAN typically uses coaxial cable or special grades of twisted pair wires. The most commonly installed Ethernet systems are called 10BASE-T and provide transmission speeds up to 10 Mbps.