Results of a BPON Trial: Technical and Economic Issues for Optical Cable and Plant

摘要

BT is conducting an extensive broadband passive optical network (BPON) Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) trial for both domestic and business customers. This overlay network has connected hundreds of customers and much has been learned from both technical and economic viewpoints. The trial has identified ways in which current practices can be improved for either overlay or green/brown field usage and has demonstrated ways of meeting the vastly differing requirements for domestic premises and office buildings. This paper discusses reuse of existing infrastructure to avoid the costs and delays of installing new duct and joint boxes plus aspects of new infrastructure practices [cables, external plant and optical network termination (ONT)] developed specifically to service the requirements of the trial. The trial network comprises a 32-way split with field deployed passive optical devices housed in factory built units. A new 32-way fibre node and compact 8-way manifold that can be easily accommodated in an existing joint box is described.