As FTTH build outs have become more prevalent, telcos have been looking for ways to minimize their future operations costs. For service providers, there are challenges and opportunities that go along with FTTH. These realities are also creating new trends that may change how service providers engineer, design, and deploy the infrastructure across the OSP.

Challenge #1: The largest challenge is getting the subscriber cutover to the new system. Often, the cutover requires a technician to physically enter the house and install the battery backup unit required for FTTH. This step of a FTTH deployment is critical and should be considered early in the planning stages to ensure the system gets turned up in a timely manner.

Of course, there is also a positive side of this fact. Given that this requires a technician to enter the customer premises, the customer interface this allows providers an opportunity to up-sell additional services and features. If the technician can create a positive interaction with the customer, this could translate into an additional source of revenue for service providers.

Opportunity #1: A key advantage for rural markets is the ability to reduce the number of field electronic locations when compared to a copper-based digital loop carrier network. FTTH also allows service providers to limit or remove commercial power services from cabinet locations, saving in monthly recurring costs. Once installed, this architecture helps providers during widespread power outages, as the number of remote cabinet locations in need of backup generators is limited.

Challenge #2: As with any new technology, there is always a learning curve for technicians who need to keep the system up and running. Training staff on the new physical plant is one of the keys to successful deployment. Depending on how providers’ systems are architected, there is a possibility for the network to utilize both ribbon and loose tube fiber. And although ribbon fiber may make up the mainline, there is typically still a need for single fusion burns at the customer location and access pedestal.

Opportunity #2: Use of ribbon fiber is becoming more common in the access network. This presents the opportunity to splice multiple fibers at one time which can potentially speed restoration time granted a fiber cut takes place. Technicians working with this network architecture will need to be familiar with both ribbon and single fusion burn splicing.

Six Trends for FTTH’s Near Future
The challenges of FTTH are producing new trends for network build outs. In the last few years, we have seen many service providers move to centralized splitter architecture when utilizing PON systems. Additionally, many service providers are also taking a closer look at Active Ethernet systems. Active Ethernet can be appealing, especially in extremely rural areas where PON networks do not have the reach to get service to the most remote customers.

Trend #1: Use of pre-terminated fiber is becoming a trend for greenfield applications. This type of build out allows the service provider to get mainline facilities placed with access at pedestals along the way. As new homes are built, the service provider works with the developer to ensure duct is taken to the correct location at the new home. The service provider then pulls the fiber to the new ONT from the pedestal, connects the fibers at both ends, and can quickly deploy new services.

Trend #2: Use of duct as part of the drop facility is becoming more prevalent. By doing this, either for pre-terminated or fully spliced applications, service providers can save time. The duct is typically pulled with a locate wire, which means dielectric fiber cable can be used. If the service provider experiences a drop cut, the duct can be repaired and a new drop pulled in the duct rather than attempting to bury a splice case on the customer’s premises.

Trend #3: When an ILEC is rebuilding its network, the type of access pedestal and splice case becomes an important decision. When service providers are deciding on which solution they want in their network, attention to detail is important. These facilities are going to be in the field for quite some time and will most likely be re-entered at a later date. Technicians need to be able to access the strands they want and put the system back together in a neat and orderly fashion time and time again. There are several different options available for this piece of the network, and each service provider must assess their own needs for the right equipment in a strategic fashion - not based on cost only.

Trend #4: With fiber being taken all the way to subscriber homes and larger fiber counts being placed and used, providers are planning upfront for fiber restoration plan. This plan provides one of the greatest opportunities to be prepared for fiber cuts, and restoring services quickly. Service providers should consider having repair kits available with cable and splice cases ready to be deployed in the field.

Depending upon the size of company and how often crews are out splicing, practice drills for preparing a cable and splice case can go a long ways towards ensuring technicians are prepared when a mainline fiber gets cut.

Trend #5: Interestingly, the type of organization building the network can impact the type of fiber access technology deployed. In a CLEC overbuild or greenfield application, service providers need to be more conscious of what types of access pedestals are used. These applications typically require the service provider to access the fiber more frequently. Thus, these applications benefit from the use of a pre-terminated solution thereby eliminating the need for fiber splicing when a new service is added.

In contrast, gaining access to the mainline fiber for a typical ILEC overbuild is generally not as important because the service provider is taking new fiber to each location during the build. These builds can benefit from potential cost savings of splicing directly through to the customer.

Trend #6: As with any new facility, the service provider can expect to see lower field maintenance with a completely new plant. The fiber-based systems are not susceptible to noise induction like the copper plant of the past. While these may lead to reduced labor costs on the OSP portion of the network, the technicians working on the system need additional training for higher value-added positions required by the service provider.

About the Author
Wade Ziegeldorf, P.E. is Engineering Staff Manager for Martin Group. He has more than 16 years of experience in telecommunications engineering. For  more information, email wadeziegeldorf@martin-group.com or visit www.martin-group.com.

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