ICON66 – Volume 3
The Last Mile – Enabling Broadband
Much has been said bout the so-called last mile, or the connection between the customer and the service provider. Along with the Accessibility of information on the internet, we have also seen a rapid rise in the amount of content demanded and today we are starting to see voice traffic and streaming of video over the web. Traditional copper-based telephone wire or telephone cables were not designed to handle this large increase in the amounts of data. However, the advent of broadband is set to revolutionise this...
Just What Is Broadband
Broadband, or high speed access, refers to the higher data rates required to deliver a wide range of multimedia services, such as broadcast quality tv, video on demand (e.g. Blockbuster in your home), interactive gaming and very high speed internet access.
The actual speed which specifies 'broadband' is very subjective. For some 2 Mega bits per second (Mbps) is considered broadband, however when it is possible to deliver greater than 10Mbps to the home today, and with speeds reaching 100Mbps to 1 Gbps in the future, the actual definition will probably evolve.
The speed provided by most domestic Internet connections does not support full screen high quality video.
To provide decent quality video really requires at least 2 Mbps which is available today in many countries and will eventually be available with DSL.
However, the key advantage of utilising Internet technologies compared to current broadcasting mechanisms will be the way in which broadband information can be tailored to individual demands. Users can request films from a video library rather than waiting for the TV schedules. Music can be downloaded without a CD in sight. Potentially, even more important, will be the ability to send information back across the network at similarly high data speeds. Complex computer games can be played against remote opponents. Video images can be sent as easily as e mail. The broadband revolution promises a new age in entertainment and communications, as well as a major boost for e-commerce.
Broadband Access
Today in the UK broadband services can be delivered using ADSL, cable and satellite. In the future we are also likely to see these services being delivered using Broadband Fixed Wireless Access (BFWA) and possibly wireless third generation systems Which Broadband Service will be the most popular - We list the major advantages:
ADSL Connection
ADSL Is the specific technology used to "turbo charge" existing copper telephone networks. It can be some 40 times faster than your 56K modems used in most homes. The key advantage of ADSL is that it is available to all and the infrastructure is already with us. However, with DSL, the DSL Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) device must be physically installed into your local exchange, and then DSL customers need to live within three and a half miles of their carrier's to get the higher speeds on offer.
Cable
Cable has already been deployed to approximately 10 million homes within the UK, however the major services provided are TV services with some low rate Internet access and interactivity e.g. home shopping. The next generation of Cable will provide broadband Internet access with speeds up to 2 Mbps. The real benefit of Cable is that the services are integrated e.g. TV and Internet access, phone, interactive services.
Broadband Fixed Wireless
Broadband Fixed Wireless has many different flavours, however each system requires a transmitter and receiver at a central site as well as at the home or office. Some systems require the transmitter and receiver to be within Line of Sight (LOS) of each other, whereas some will work on the reflections created by obstructions in the path e.g. buildings. BFW is not to be confused with wireless LAN technology which provides high speed connectivity within buildings, but not across long distances like BFW. The benefit of BFW is there is no need to dig up the streets to lay fibre because the signals are transmitted through the air using radio waves. The difficulty with BFW is that complex frequency planning is required and the available bandwidth is shared amongst different users.
Mobile
In the near future we will see new high speed data systems being delivered by the mobile providers based on GPRS (General Packet Radio System). This will allow 'always on' types of services to be supported while providing greater than 30 kilo bits per second (kbps) to each phone. In the future Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS), the third generation mobile phone standard, will deliver much higher data download speeds than that of current mobile phones and a further increment over GPRS.
Summary
Which type of broadband service you access will largely be determined by where your company's premises is located or where you live. Corporate users in large urban areas will harness the ability of fibre optic cable to both receive and send huge amount of data. Whereas, consumers in less densely populated areas will rely on xDSL or Cable systems and in the remote areas, high speed access will most likely be delivered using high speed satellite systems.
Third generation mobile technology will be used by those who are mobile.
Within Europe, the number of installed Cable modems currently exceeds DSL connections today by half a million (860,000 compared to 360,000) but it is predicted that DSL will overtake Cable by 2003. At the same time, the opportunities continue to grow with developments in value added services being delivered using other formats such as Broadband Fixed Wireless, Mobile (3G wireless) and Satellite. And yet, even with the roll out of these new types of Access, the humble dial-up service is expected to be in use for many years (especially while prices remain competitive).
Broadband Benefits
24-HOUR
INTERNET CONNECTION
VIDEO ON
DEMAND
FAST INTERACTIVE
DIGITAL TELEVISION
FAST INTERACTIVE
HOME SHOPPING
VIDEO 3-MAIL
VIDEO CONFERENCING
FAST DOWNLOADING
OF GAMES, MUSIC
SOFTWARE
[TOM GOERKE]
