FIBER-TO-THE-CURB SYSTEMS - ARCHITECTURAL ALTERNATIVES

Several fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) systems have been proposed in response to the present high cost of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) systems for plain old telephone service (POTS). With FTTC systems, fiber is brought only as far as the service access point (SAP). From there, copper drops carry POTS signals from the SAP to several residences. Due to the extensive sharing of optical sources and the fibers running to the SAP, the per-subscriber system cost is reduced to levels comparable to that of a copper-based digital loop carrier distribution system. This paper presents an analysis of three different fiber-to-the-curb distribution networks that serve up to 96 customers, initially providing two POTS channels to each customer. These systems serve four customers per SAP through star, distributed star, or bus topologies that offer differing levels of sharing of fiber and optoelectronic components. We estimate the installed first costs (IFC) of the distribution link (remote node to customer) for the three FTTC scenarios and find them comparable to the IFC of copper distribution system with similar capabilities. We also look at the evolution of these systems to broadband FTTH systems as well as near-term upgrades providing entertainment video services.