2021.02.22 – Broadband Forum points to harnessing copper for fibre benefits

Broadband Forum points to harnessing copper for fibre benefits

Fibre Systems – 2021.02.22

‘Broadband Forum’s latest technical report has highlighted how fibre-based access could be provided using existing copper infrastructure instead of installing fibre to end-users’ premises.

This, says the organisation, could help ensure that homes and businesses have access to faster, more reliable broadband connectivity by harnessing the copper infrastructure.

The Fiber Access Extension over Existing Copper Infrastructure (TR-419) report shows how this method physically viable. Instead, fibre to the extension point (FTTep) lets service providers deploy fibre-grade services by leveraging the last metres of copper to extend the fibre network without lowering quality when compared to complete FTTH networks.

The TR-419 report extends the forum’s previous TR-301 which defines functionality for ITU-T G.fast distribution point units. It describes a number of use cases and migration options that can be considered as representative deployment scenarios for the operators choosing to implement a FTTep solution, and focuses on architectural, management and operational aspects of PON fibre access extension over different copper underlying technologies such as G.fast, G.hn Access and MoCA Access.’

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