Building FTTH Networks

Andreas Marx

Network Strategist, Stadtwerke MünchenFTTH Council Europe

Agenda

• Introduction• Network Sections• Costs• Services• Services• Materials• Innovation

Definition

In telecommunications, Outside Plant (OSP) refers to all of the physical cabling and supporting infrastructure, such as conduits, cabinets, or poles, and any associated hardware, such as joints.

The network is bound on one side by the Point of Presence (PoP) and on the other side by either

• a further PoP (� backbone ) or• a subscriber connection (� access network )

Outside Plant

PoP: Point of Presence

Sub.: Subscriber

Sub.Demarcation

Network SectionsLegal Aspects – Implementation

Typical Cost Breakdown of FTTH P rojectsby Category

Source: Fiberizing Europe: The FTTH Council Europe Cost Model Approach

Study by FTTH Council Europe, Comsof, Atesio/Draka, Telage

Typical (*) Cost Breakdown of FTTH P rojectsby Network Sections

The largest cost item by far is the distribution area. Cost optimisation should be considered here.

The joint usage of existing metro /

Source: NSN Project average

Cost of the PoP has hardly any effect on over all costs. Therefore, high quality solutions should be given priority.

backbone network for the feeder area brings little in the way of savings.

(*) Typical example, PON new build incl. civil works – Subscriber connections not considered

Materials and Services

Services (approx. 60-80%) Materials (approx. 20-40%)

• Demand analysis, OSP survey

• Network planning, documentation

• Project management (subcontractor coordination)

• Civil works (excavation, trenching, reinstatement)

• Installation (blowing/pulling in cables, splicing, etc.)

• (Acceptance) measurements & tests

• Ducts, poles, handholes, etc.

• Cables, sleeves, ODFs

• Optical splitters/multiplexers (xPON)

• Cabinets, boxes

• Connectors, patch cords, pigtails

Image source: NSN Archive, Vendor

Services in Different Project Phases

Analysis and

Network Design

Optimisation

& Planning

Implementation and

Project Management

Network Operation

& Expansion

• Subscriber identification

• OSP survey

• Existing infrastructure

• Network analysis

• Selection andcertification of contractors and products/materials

• Network planning andengineering

• Procurement & logistics

• Subcontractor mgt.

• Civil works

• Network installation

• Quality management

• Network maintenance and repair

• Expansion planning

Act

ivity

engineering• Controlling and reporting

• Change management

• Risk management

• Trouble-free networkoperation

• Extension of networkaccording to demandand operator strategy

• Survey Report

• Engineering difficulties(bridges, railway, waters)

• Network concept

• Operable network

• As-build documentation(network plans, measure-

ment results, etc.)

• Final network design

• End-to-end functionality

• Chargeable services

• Bill of Quantities (BoQ)

• Documentation (Plans, etc.)

Act

ivity

Res

ult

Services: From Planning …

• aprox. 32.000 Buildings

• aprox. 350.000 Households

• aprox. 850.000 m trenching

• 35 Clusters with one PoP each

• Construction: 2010 – 2014

Basic Projekt Data

Image source: SWM

• SWM Invest: aprox. 170 Millionen Euro

• Building connection rate: >95%

Cluster limits

Cluster name and year of compl.

completed

Due in 2013

Services: … to Implementation

Image source: NSN archive, SWM

Material Examples: Civil Works

Ducts

Handholes

Microducts

Warning tape & markers

Microduct branchings

Image source: NSN archive, vendors

Optical fibre cableUnderground, duct, & indoor cables

Optical fibre sleevesConnection and branch sleeves

Material Examples: Cables and Connectivity

Connecting elements Splices, connectors, patch cables

Termination housing

Optical distribution rack

Image source: NSN archive, vendors

Demand for Innovative Materialsin Optical Access Networks

• Requirements for optical subscriber access networks differ significantly from those of classical high-availability wide area networks:

– Minimal space requirements for equipment in PoPs and buildings– Very high installation and connection rates in a short time period– High price pressure

• Industry responded to these demands with a number of innovative new developments:

– Cost effective products for the residential market � cost reduction– Installation with minimally trained/retrained personnel � pre-assembly– Product optimisation for rapid installation � faster roll-out

• Effective use of these products requires changes to the mind sets of network operators and contractors

Examples of Innovative Materials

– ODFs with over 2,800 fibre connections in a single rack

– Complete mechanical sleeves without shrink seals

– Sleeves with ports for more that 50 cables

– Pre-assembled cabinets with optical splitters

Image source: NSN archive, vendors

– Pre-connectorized cables with robust outdoor connectors

– Field-mountable connectors

– Glass fibres with very low bending radius

Some of these materials are not even 5 years on the ma rket!

Dedicated OSP Materials for FTTH

Cable with bend-insensitive

fibres

Mechanical splices,

field mountable connectors

In-building cabling systems

Micro duct systems

In-building cabling systemsRiser cable, optical fibre termination Splice / splitter cabinets

Image source: vendors

Pre-assembled connector

technology

Cost Reduction by Using Innovative Materials

Example:

• Multi Dwelling Unit (MDU) with 120 flats• 20 floors with 6 DU/floor

Window

Field-mountable

connectors

Large box with uncutloose tubes

Splice cassette with pig tails

Standard F.O. solutionFTTH solution

• 20 floors with 6 DU/floor(Riser cable with 20 loose tubes @ 6 fibres)

Total cost (materials + services):

• Standard F.O. solution: 100%• FTTH optimized solution: 83%

Summary

Professional network planning and project managemen t are key

The cost of the OSP build represents a significant percentage of the total costs of an FTTH project.Here manpower cost is the dominant part.

Professional network planning and project managemen t are key criteria for project success.

The use of dedicated materials and state-of-the-art installation techniques contribute significantly to the rapid an d high-quality implementation of the network build.

Thank you for your attention!

www.ftthcouncil.eu