7.1 Introduction

Consumer demand for ready access to Web resources, multimedia applications, and information on every topic imaginable undermines the capabilities of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) in supporting real-time and dependable voice, video, and data delivery via the local loop. At SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) venues, wireline transmission speed for accessing Web services and applications is ultimately dependent on the condition of the local loop. As noted, the local loop enables connections over the first mile between the subscriber premise and the local telephone exchange, also called the telephone company central office (CO).

At the local telephone exchange, servers and routers aggregate information for transport at multimegabit and multigigabit rates to and from high-performance networks. However, transmission rates between a SOHO site and the local telephone exchange default to transmission speeds enabled by local loop technology.

The inability to provision low-cost, high-speed network access over the local loop contributes to the implementation of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), powerline, and cable network solutions. These broadband residential access networks overcome local loop constraints and enable interconnectivity over the first mile to high-speed, high-performance broadband networks.

7.2 Purpose

This chapter features an examination of the distinctive characteristics of wireline and wireless cable networks. Technical advances in cable networks are examined. Specifications, recommendations, and guidelines developed by standards organizations in the wireline and wireless cable networking domain are described. Distinctive attributes of wireline and wireless cable system configurations and representative examples of cable networking field trials and implementations are presented. Capabilities of...