Final Report
Chapter 4 Trend on Communication Technology
(3) FTTC (Fiber To The Curb/Cabinet)
As illustrated in Figure 4.2-4, the fiber optic cable is carried from the exchange office until the
curb/cabinet on the curbside, and extends up to subscriber premises with metallic cable as the last
one mile connection. This system supports broadband services such as high speed internet. The area
served by the cabinet is usually a few hundred meter range.
Exchange
Residence
Secondary
Cable
Optical Fiber
Drop Wire
POTS
Closure
Edge
Router
FTTC
ADSL
prepared by Survey Team
Figure 4.2-4
4.3
System Configuration of FTTC
IP Technology
Transmitting all the information signals integrated into IP packets has been gaining a wide
recognition among info-communication technology experts. In the background of this trend is the
ultra-high capacity of the routers, the IP transmission’s basic elements together with an ever
increasing pace of fiber optic transmission development. IP users will form the main client base for
the telecommunication providers.
This technological revolution has initiated a move away from conventional circuit switching into
IP switching and telecommunication businesses, following the worldwide trend, have been focusing
their efforts on investing in the research and development of telecommunication equipment. Prices
for network gear are very likely to fall in this business environment.
GMPLS/MPLS is the key technology for the IP communication network and has a high efficiency
in transmitting data. It can establish point-to-point links by adding IP headers to labels, thus
encapsulating them. The characteristics of IP network are as follows:
Packet based transmission;
Separation of control function from transport function and application function;
Separation of service function from transport function
Provision of broadband services by keeping end-to-end QoS and transparency;
Integration of fixed and mobile communications;
Compatibility with legacy networks via open interface;
Support of a variety of multimedia services e.g. real-time, non-real-time, streaming
communications, etc.;
Conforms to rules and regulations of emergency and confidential communications.
4-6