10.1 Introduction

To date the use of optical fibre in the access network has typically only proved cost effective for supplying the high bandwidth demands of large corporate customers. For new and established network operators, however, the increasing demand for bandwidth to deliver bearer, interactive and bundled services to business and residential customers is requiring them to seriously consider the high volume rollout of optical fibre based systems. Network operators therefore face some major decisions, not only in terms of the type of fibre transmission systems to deploy, but also how to install a cost effective network of fibre cables, ducting and joints to connect to the customers they wish to serve. Installing fibre in the ground represents a major commitment and a long term investment. Network operators can typically expect the fibre infrastructure to equate to at least 60% of the cost of the overall access transmission system. Planning and building such networks is a major upfront investment, and in today's highly competitive markets operators are faced with the added complications of uncertain take up of services by customers and the likelihood of high customer churn.

This chapter focuses on fibre to the home (FTTH) and the deployment options and challenges for the physical fibre infrastructure. The key difference associated with connecting optical fibre to residential properties instead of business properties is not technical but commercial. There is typically a much smaller potential revenue from a residential property than from a...