What is FTTP or Fiber-To-The-Premises?

Fiber-To-The-Premises (FTTP) is a technology for providing Internet access by running fiber-optic cable directly from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to a user’s home or business. It facilitates much faster speeds than dial-up and most coaxial cable Internet connections, and generally requires less maintenance. It is also considered to be one of the most “future-proof” types of internet technology, as there are no foreseeable devices that could use more bandwidth than can be sent over fiber optic cables. Despite its advantages, it is difficult and expensive to install.

FTTP and copper cable internet connections

Most FTTP connections run at least 10 Megabits per second (Mbps), with many closer to 50 and some as high as 300 Mbps. Even higher speeds are theoretically possible. Copper cable connections such as DSL and cable Internet are often cheaper, but are sometimes more difficult to install than fiber optic connections. Copper is easier to damage, so it needs to be pulled with a much lighter force, but it’s also heavier than fiber, making it harder to pull. Additionally, fiber only loses about 3% of its signal strength over about 328 feet (100m), while copper can lose up to 94% over the same distance.

Equipment

Distance*>

Data transfer speed

FTTP
Fiber optic cable
62 miles (100km) and beyond
Between 10 and 300Mbps

Remote access
Copper twisted pair cable
Very limited — usually only a few miles
And 56 to 64 Kbps

DSL
Copper twisted pair cable
Up to 3.39 miles (5.46 km), usually much less
Up to 300 Mbps, typically 1.5 to 3 Mbps. The speed is greatly affected by the distance of the connection and the traffic on the network.

Cable
Copper coaxial cable
Up to 100 miles
Up to 30 Mbps, but usually between 1 and 6 Mbps

Fiber-To-The-Node o Neighborhood (FTTN)
Fiber optic cable connected to twisted pair or coaxial cable
About 1 mile (1.6km), then connects to fiber optic cable
From 20 to over 100 Mbps

Fiber-To-The-Curb o Cabinet (FTTC)
Fiber optic cable connected to twisted pair or coaxial cable
1,000 feet (304m), then connects to fiber optic cable
From 80 to over 100 Mbps

How copper wire connections work
Most types of Internet connection work through a copper cable that goes directly to a building. The other end of the cable is connected to a fiber optic cable that goes to your ISP, where your internet signal originates. This copper wiring is often called a “last mile” connection, even though it often runs for much more than a mile (1.6 km). The potential problem with these types of connections is that electrical signals sent over the copper encounter a lot of resistance and tend to get weaker and less clear over a distance. This is especially true in rural areas, where the last mile link is typically longer than in urban areas.
How fiber optic connections work
Fiber optic cables are made up of long strands of glass covered with protective plastic buffers, and the signals are sent via pulses of light rather than electricity. This means that data can be sent extremely quickly with little resistance and deterioration. Although the signals still need to be converted into electricity for a router or computer to use, in FTTP systems, the fiber-optic cable runs directly to the user’s building. There, it plugs into a short copper cable or goes into a network interface device (NID), which converts the light pulses into usable signals.
FTTP can refer to Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) or Fiber-To-The-Building or Basement (FTTB). FTTH is a system where the fiber goes directly to individual homes, while FTTB is a system where the fiber goes to the building and from there splits to multiple subscribers within the building via non-optical connections, such as copper cables or a wireless connection. A similar connection type is FTTN, where a fiber optic cable terminates at a node to which users connect with copper cables. There’s also FTTC, which has an even shorter connection between end users and fiber optic cable. All of these technologies are sometimes collectively referred to as FTTx.
Advantages
Speed ​​and reliability
The main advantages of FTPP are the speed and reliability of signal transmission. This means that users can quickly upload and download things and also have high-quality streaming media content. This is also true over long distances, where a signal sent over copper would deteriorate or become extinct.
Long term use
FTTP is expected to be usable as-is for a long time. As long as a fiber-optic network is built with cable capable of transmitting the entire optical spectrum of light, no device can be expected to need more bandwidth than it could accommodate. To function fully, the network would also need to be built with cables that can transmit signals while bent, called bend-insensitive fiber. The huge amount of data that can be sent over this type of network also gives technology designers more freedom, as they don’t have to worry about bandwidth limitations.
durability
Fiber-optic cable is generally stronger than copper, as the materials it is made from are less susceptible to weather damage. This means that the network does not need to be serviced so often, which is more convenient for the ISP and users. Additionally, most fiber-optic cables can be expected to operate reliably for at least 40 years, while copper cables may need to be upgraded every five years to remain useful.
Remote monitoring and control
The nature of the cables also makes fiber optic networks easier to monitor than others. Problems with your network can be identified remotely to your ISP, with some devices being able to detect a problem within about 5 feet (1.5 meters). This makes it easier for technicians to quickly repair any faults.
Most fiber optic connections also come out of the box for phone and TV, not just your computer Internet connection. If a person decides to start with just one service, the ISP can activate any additional services remotely whenever needed. This can be done on a permanent basis or upon request.
Disadvantages
Difficult and expensive to install
FTTP is expensive and disruptive to install, and is often more expensive than other types of consumer internet connections. Since fiber-optic cable is usually buried, companies often have to dig long trenches to insert the cable. This isn’t a problem in undeveloped locations, but can cause problems in urban areas. This is especially true if the fiber optic cable has to pass under roads or waterways. There are some workarounds for this, such as using existing tunnels or trenches, and in some cases rats or ferrets can pull the cord through small areas unreachable by people.
The high installation cost means that it is usually only installed in places that are newly developed or where there is a lot of demand for it. These are usually urban areas and areas where people are willing to pay a lot for a fast connection. This means that it is likely to come much later in rural places than in others.
Equipment and power required
Another disadvantage of FTP is that the end user must have some new equipment installed: the NID and a power source for it. The power source must continuously draw electricity from the user’s building or home, although most contain a battery backup to power the NID during power outages. However, if the battery runs out, the user will not be able to get a connection until power is restored. This equipment must be installed in each building, which can be inconvenient and must be serviced occasionally.

---

Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN