The lure of fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) solutions is compelling. It offers 24 Mb/s service today with technologies on the horizon that promise more. As compared to fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) overbuilds, FTTN requires one fifth the capital investment and one quarter of the deployment time, according to industry analysts. Most compelling is the prospect of reusing existing copper distribution and feeder plant—all of which might be nearly or fully depreciated. | ADC OmniReach FTTN Solutions Advanced Technology for the Outside Plant Reduce Operating Expense Trim Capital Expenditure Reach All Subscribers with Broadband Services Fiber-to-the-Node FTTN An Attractive Solution for Broadband Service Delivery The lure of fiber-to-the-node FTTN solutions is compelling. It offers 24 Mb s service today with technologies on the horizon that promise more. As compared to fiber-to-the-premise FTTP overbuilds FTTN requires one fifth the capital investment and one quarter of the deployment time according to industry analysts. Most compelling is the prospect of reusing existing copper distribution and feeder plant all of which might be nearly or fully depreciated. For greenfield projects the business case for FTTP remains strong due to capital and operating cost parity and long infrastructure service life from the virtually unlimited bandwidth of optical fiber. Still for the other 80 percent of carrier serving areas with copper-fed neighborhoods FTTN offers a cost effective architecture for advanced services delivery. Challenges for FTTN Network Planning Re-sectionalizing distribution areas to achieve loop length goals can pose challenges to network planners making the FTTN project vulnerable to hidden operating and capital costs. Here are just a few of the questions that impact planning. Are cross boxes and DLC cabinets at full capacity What is availability of spare binding posts in cross boxes Is there space or right of way for placing new adjunct DSLAM and or cross box cabinets Are multiple cross boxes now being supported from a single DLC cabinet In low density areas is there an interface point available to gain access to dial tone Should you use dedicated DSLAM ports in these areas What is the operating impact of more cabinets to manage In addition there are other outside plant challenges that arise from re-sectionalizing distribution areas partly due to more cabinets to manage and more services to provision and maintain. In the FTTN .
