Future Proof Next Generation Access Networks – The Case for FTTH

Abstract

The insatiable demand for more and more bandwidth lets access bitrates in broadband networks grow exponentially at a rate of about 50% year-over-year. None of the copper-based wireline access technologies will be able to cope with this demand in the long term. Also wireless networks see similar growth and require higher and higher backhaul speeds. There is industry-wide consensus that only fiber-based access networks will be able to support this growth. It can be expected that the new generation of passive infrastructure will experience the same lifetime as today’s copper-based infrastructure. Therefore, it is of vital importance that this infrastructure will be built in a way that it is as flexible as possible, supporting future applications and technologies without costly upgrades, while still being affordable at the time of deployment.