Bridging the Last Mile – Evaluating Alternative Connectivity Options

Abstract:
Residential access networks of internet service providers have evolved from copper-based public switched telephone networks to digital broadband access networks now based on a mixture of copper and fibre infrastructure components. It is generally well accepted that an FTTH-network (Fibre-to-the-Home), where the fibre runs all the way to the customer’s premises, represents the most future-proof architecture with the highest capacity, albeit involving significant upfront costs for the development of the last mile. Therefore, the question arises on how to cost-efficiently bridge the gap to the customer. In this paper we discuss a multitude of different options for an efficient broadband access network, extended by a view on a high capacity home network, from an operator’s perspective. Next to the traditional wireline options (e.g. Vectored VDSL and G.fast), we in particular discuss the applicability of emerging wireless solutions enabled by new antenna concepts (e. g. massive MIMO) and new transmission frequencies (millimetre wave and optical wireless communication).