Next-generation access

Next-generation access (NGA) describes a significant upgrade to the Broadband available by making a step change in speed and quality of the service. This is typically thought of as asymmetrical with a download speed of 24 Mbit/s plus and a fast upload speed. The Definition of UK Superfast Next Generation Broadband[1] OFCOM have defined NGA as in "Ofcom's March 2010 'Review of the wholesale local access market" "Super-fast broadband is generally taken to mean broadband products that provide a maximum download speed that is greater than 24 Mbit/s. This threshold is commonly considered to be the maximum speed that can be supported on current generation (copper-based) networks."

Milestones

Operators around the world have been rolling out high-speed Internet access networks since the mid-2000s. Some used a network topology known as Active Ethernet Point-to-Point to deliver services from its central office directly into subscribers' homes. Fibre termination was handled by a residential gateway provided by Advanced Digital Broadcast inside a subscriber's home to be shared with other consumer electronics (CE) devices.

Since 2007, Italian access providers Fastweb,[2] Telecom Italia, Vodafone, and Wind participated in an initiative called fibre for Italy, with the aim of creating a countrywide fibre-to-the-home network in Italy. The pilot taking place in the Italian capital, Rome, has seen symmetrical bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s.[3] Telecom Italia, which refused to take part in the fibre for Italy initiative, has an even more ambitious plan to bring fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-business to 138 cities by 2018.[4] By the end of December 2010, the total number of fibre-to-the-home enabled homes had passed 2.5 million, with more than 348,000 subscribers.[4])

Fixed wireless and mobile wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) are an alternative for providing Internet access.

Regulation

In September 2010, the European Commission published a new Recommendation for Regulated Access to NGA Networks along with a list of measures to promote deployment of fast broadband and next generation access networks.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mark Jackson (25 October 2010), "The Definition of UK Superfast Next Generation Broadband", ISP Review, retrieved 3 May 2012
  2. ↑ Enrico Pietralunga (23 March 2009). "Fastweb FTTH: A 10-years success story" (PDF). Konferenzbeitraege Berlin presentation. Fastweb. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "FTTH with the Optical Distribution Frame". Connections. Reichle & De-Massari AG. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 Sean Buckley (17 January 2011). "Italy: FTTH reaches 348,000 subscriber mark". Fierce Telecom. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  5. ↑ "Digital Agenda: Commission outlines measures to deliver fast and ultra-fast broadband in Europe". Europe's Information Society. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
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