2006 Broadband Technology

This report provides a detailed, independent, introduction to broadband access technologies, for regulators, investors and for the management and technical staff of carriers and other corporations. We explain the key technical principles behind the major broadband technologies: Fibre to the Premises or the Home (FttP/FttH), VDSL (Very High Rate Digital Subscriber Line, also known as Fibre to the Node or Curb - FttN/FttC), ADSL (Asymmetrical DSL), Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) Cable and Broadband over Powerlines (BPL, also known as Powerline Communications). This report also contains explanations and analyses of:- Historical background Principles of operation Technical standards Critical analysis of strengths and weaknesses Competition with other technologies Opportunities for new services Combining technologies Links to industry consortia, standards bodies, regulators and key vendors Explaining established technologies in detail