# Presentation: 841664

## Overview of Broadband Technology Platforms

- Chris Moore, Deputy Chief**  **
**Wireless Telecommunications Bureau **
**Regional Educational Workshop**
**On Rural Broadband**
**November 20, 2008**

** ****Note: The views expressed in this presentation are  those**
** ****of the author and may not necessarily represent the views**
** ****of the Federal Communications Commission**

## Overview 

- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
- Cable Broadband Service
- Fiber
- Satellite
- Fixed Wireless Service - Licensed
- Mobile Wireless Service - Licensed
- Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) - Unlicensed
- Broadband Over Power Lines

**Notes:**
Good morning.  

In this presentation I’ll provide a high level overview of the major broadband technologies that are currently available, including DSL, cable, fiber, satellite, licensed fixed and mobile wireless broadband services, unlicensed broadband services provided by Wireless Internet Service Providers, and broadband over power lines.

## Residential Advanced Services Lines by Technology as ofJune 30, 2007

**Notes:**
Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, directs the FCC and the States to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans.  Section 706 instructs the FCC to conduct regular inquiries on the availability of advanced telecommunications capabilities and report to Congress.  

Data from the most recent Section 706 Report shows that, of the 100.9 million total high-speed (or wireless) lines as of June 30, 2007, 34.1% were cable modem, 27.3% were ADSL, 1.0% were symmetric DSL (SDSL) or traditional wireline, 1.4% were fiber to the end user premises, and 36.2% used other technologies.

## Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

- Most commonly used by local telephone carriers
- Variations: ADSL, VDSL
- Up to 7 Mbs download; 1 Mbs upload
- Distance dependent

**Notes:**
DSL is the technology most commonly used by local telephone carriers for providing high-speed data services. DSL electronically enhances the conventional copper telephone voice line, enabling it to simultaneously provide both voice service and high-speed data traffic. 
While there are a number of variations of DSL, the most common residential service is asymmetric DSL, or ADSl. The service is asymmetric because it typically provides download speeds that are faster than the upload speeds. 

Conventional ADSL services offers downloads speeds up to 7 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1 MBs. Newer technologies being deployed can support download speeds of 20-30 Mbps. 

Service is usually available only within about 18,000 feet of a telephone company central office.  In addition, the available data speed is affected by the distance from the Central Office - - the closer you are, the higher the data speed.

At the Central Office, the broadband service is connected to the Internet via a DSL Access Modem, or DSLAM. 

The user connects to the broadband service via a DSL modem.  

## Cable Broadband Service

**Cable Broadband Service**

- Developed for TV distribution
- Evolved to provide TV/Data/Voice
- Up to 15 Mbs download; 2 Mbs upload
- Distance independent
- Register w/ FCC

*Cable Modem*

**Notes:**
Cable television developed as a system of providing television programming to subscribers via signals transmitted through coaxial cable. Initially, cable television offered a means for homes unable to receive over-the-air broadcasting to have access to local television channels. In recent years, cable operators have upgraded infrastructure and employed the use of digital technologies to allow the offering of other services including high speed Internet access and cable telephony. 
Cable TV networks provide shared bandwidth among subscribers. Television channels are received at a central location called a headend. The headend also connects the local cable network to the Internet and the public switched telephone network. Video and data are consolidated at the headend and sent over the cable network to subscribers. At subscribers' homes, a cable modem is required to access the Internet. 
Download speeds can range up to 15 Mbs and upload speeds up to 2 Mbs.  The data speed does not depend on distance.
Before commencing cable operations, cable system operators must register with the Commission by filing a Form 322 Cable Community Registration for each community to be served. A cable operator is also required to obtain a franchise from the local franchising authority before providing cable service. 

In 2002, the FCC classified cable modem service as an interstate information service under Title I of the Communications Act and concluded that cable modem service is not a Title VI cable service and does not contain a telecommunications service subject to common carrier regulation (Title II).

## Hybrid Fiber/Coax (HFC) CATV Network

**Notes:**
Modern cable networks distribute video signals and data to subscribers through hybrid networks of optical fibers and coaxial cable. 

One of the advantages is that the use of fiber in the backbone of the network reduced the need for radio frequency amplifiers, greatly improving service quality.

## Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) Fiber to the Home Architecture

**Central Office**

*Typically up to 20 km (28 dB)*

**Passive Outside Plant**

*2.5 Gbps @ 1490 nm*

*1.2 Gbps @ 1310 nm*

- splitters points

*Optional 1,550 nm to support local analog/digital video if required*

**Softswitch**
**(for voice)**

**Edge router**
**(data, video)**

**Optical**
** ****Line Terminal (OLT)**

- Single family homes

- Multi-dwelling units

- Small/medium enterprises

**Optical**
** ****Network Terminal (ONT)**

*Source:  Fiber to the Home Council*

**Notes:**
This slide was taken from a recent presentation to the FCC staff by the Fiber to the Home Council and shows the basic architecture of a Gigabit Fiber to the Premises System.

At its most basic level the Central Office uses an optical line terminal to bridge between the Internet and the passive optical distribution network, which in turn delivers service to the end users, whether they be in a multiple dwelling unit, a small or medium business, or a single family home.

The benefit of the GPON system is that no amplification of the "signals" is needed (i.e. it is passive).  Active networks use amplifiers which amplify noise along with the desired signal.  So the more distance a signal travels on the coax side of a HFC network, for example, the more amplifiers would be needed to get to the desired signal to the furthest point on the network and more noise would be introduced into the network.

The largest operator of GPON systems is Verizon, which has been upgrading many of its FiOS networks from the earlier generation architecture, BPON (broadband passive optical network), to GPON over the past year.

## Typical GPON Components

**Typical GPON Components**

**Optical Patch Panel**

**Outside Plant Splitter Cabinet**

**Distribution **
**Cable**

**Drop **
**Cable**

**Feeder Cable**

**Fiber Splice Closures**

**Optical Taps**

**Optional Video Amplifier**

**Optical Line Terminal**

**Optional Video Coupler for RF overlay**

**Optical Network Terminals**

**                    ****Central Office                                                  Passive Outside Plant (OSP)                      Subscriber Premise**

**A single fiber, splitters and subs is the “PON”**

*Source:  Fiber to the Home Council*

**Notes:**
This slide shows the components that are used on the delivery of the GPON service.

On the left side we can see the basic equipment in the Central Office, in the middle the passive transmission system or outside plant, and on the right side the subscriber premises equipment.

When we talk about a Gigabit system we are really talking about a system where that capacity is split up among multiple users.  However, the technology is expected to evolve where it can provide more than 100 Mbs service to each individual user.

## Satellite

- Geos; Non-Geos; Leos
- Fixed:
- C-band – 4 & 6 GHz
- V-Sats – 11 & 14 GHz
- Mobile Satellite Service
- Satellite advantage:  Ubiquitous coverage
- Limitation:  Foliage, rain, etc. can affect availability

**Notes:**
Since satellite signals can cover large portions of the U.S. or may even cover all portions of the U.S., they are able to provide services to isolated rural areas that may not receive service via cable or wireline, or even terrestrial wireless, networks. 
The ubiquity of satellite signals has long held the potential to deliver broadband communications anywhere and everywhere in America. Satellite technology is capable of reaching every American no matter how rural or remotely located they might be. 
Satellite entrepreneurs are developing strategies to package and resell satellite capacity to create communications services that are economically and technologically within the reach of rural Americans and their farms and businesses.

Some satellites operate from the geostationary orbit that is approximately 25,000 miles in space.  This distance means there can be a delay of up to about a half a second for a signal to go up to the satellite and back.  This may not be a problem for many applications that are not time critical, but can pose a challenge for time-sensitive applications, such as VoIP.

Other satellite systems operate in non-geostationary orbits that are close to the earth, called Low Earth Orbiting Satellites.  The close proximity to the earth reduces the delays.

Fixed satellites operate in a number of frequency bands, with two of the best known being the C-band at 4 & 6 GHz and the V-sat band at 11 & 14 GHZ.  You’ll often see the antennas for these services at gas stations and on the roofs of retail establishments for connecting them to private data networks.

Mobile satellites are relatively newcomers and thus far have been focused on particular markets such as public safety and government operations.  However these systems are planned for expansion to offer broadband service.

A major advantage of satellite systems is that they can provide ubiquitous coverage.  A limitation is that foliage, rain and buildings can limit the ability to receive the signals.

## Mobile Satellite ServiceAncillary Terrestrial Component

**Mobile Satellite Service****Ancillary Terrestrial Component**

*Satellite provides ubiquitous coverage, including rural areas*

*Terrestrial base*
*Stations provide*
*coverage in areas*
*where satellite signals*
*may be weak*

**Notes:**
One of the more interesting recent developments has been the introduction of an ancillary terrestrial component for mobile satellite services.  The satellite provides ubiquitous coverage, while the terrestrial transmitters provide coverage in the areas where reception may be weak, particularly in major metropolitan areas with tall buildings.

The Commission has granted ATC authorizations to satellite provider MSV for its operations in the L-Band and to Globalstar for its operations in the Big LEO Band.

## Fixed Wireless Services - Licensed

**Fixed Wireless Services - Licensed**

-  Origin

- Signals can be carried over great distances
- by relaying them over multiple “hops”.

- Traditional fixed point-to-point service: Microwave signals are aimed along a narrow path using high-gain antennas.
- Requires line-of-sight
- Applications:  Communications backbones;      studio-transmitter links; cable relay

**Notes:**
Let’s turn now to licensed wireless services, particularly fixed and mobile systems.  

The FCC provides for many types of licensed services.  Some are licensed on a first-come-first served basis, some via filing windows, some via auction, etc.  The licensee is afforded certain rights and responsibilities, such as the right to operate a radio system over some geographic area or particular locations, and protection against interference from other users of the spectrum.  You will be hearing much more about licensed services in later presentations.

Fixed services, until recently, used microwave transmitters and receivers to carry signals from one point to another.  I’m sure you’ve seen the kinds of towers shown in these pictures where directional antennas or dishes are mounted on the tower and aimed at another tower some distance away.

These sorts of communications links require a clear path between the transmitting and receiving antenna, called line-of-site.  While an individual microwave hop may run anywhere from a few miles to 40 miles or more, the signals can be carried over greater distances by relaying them over multiple hops.

There are many applications for fixed microwave links, including serving a backbones for communications networks and linking together various broadcaster and cable operations.

## Fixed Wireless Services - Licensed

**Fixed Wireless Services - Licensed**

- Business
- Access &
- Backhaul

- Hotspot
- Backhaul

**W-Fi**

**802.11**

- Directly to Indoor Modem

***Examples:***
***Broadband Radio Service/***
***Educational Broadband Service***
***Local Multipoint ***
***Distribution Service***

**Notes:**
Technology has advanced to enable the provision of fixed broadband service directly to consumers and businesses, particularly without the need for those big bulky antennas we saw in the picture.

These services would use a point-to-multipoint configuration where the transmitter tower would communicate with multiple users at different locations.

Early implementations of this architecture sought to deliver broadband services to an outdoor antenna located on the roof of the building, whether it be a business or a residence.  This proved to be quite costly because the outdoor antenna generally required professional installation.

More recently, service providers have transitioned to a different business model where fixed broadband wireless service is delivered over the airwaves to a modem inside the business or home.  From there the signal can be distributed throughout the home or business via other technologies such as Wi-Fi.

Probably the two best known examples of this type of service delivery are the Broadband Radio Service and Educational Broadband Service operating in the 2.5 GHz band and the Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) operating in the 27 GHz band.  

WiMax and similar wireless technologies have been developed over the past several years to deliver both fixed and portable wireless broadband services using licensed spectrum.  Such services have been deployed in over 50 U.S. cities, mainly smaller towns and cities such as Dayton, Ohio and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  A mobile version of the WiMax technology standard is being developed and tested, and companies in the U.S. plan to launch mobile WiMax services later this year.

Wireless broadband service can be a particularly efficient way to deliver broadband services to rural areas because it is much less expensive than deploying wires or other types of communications facilities.

## Mobile WirelessBroadband Service

- The FCC has created multiple mobile radio services suitable for broadband:
- Cellular Service
- Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMRs)
- Personal Communications Service (PCS)
- Advanced Wireless Service (AWS)
- 700 MHz (Recently Auctioned)
- Technologies:  GSM family; CDMA family; planned WiMAX
- Various types of service, with data speeds of up to 2 Mbs
- Actual speed depends on several factors
- All of the major technologies have developed evolutionary paths to faster data rates

**Notes:**
The FCC has created multiple mobile radio services that are suitable for broadband, including: Cellular Service; Specialized Mobile Radio Service (SMRs); Personal Communications Service (PCS); Advanced Wireless Service (AWS); and the 700 MHz band (Recently Auctioned)

In general, these services have been licensed via auctions as required by statute.  The licensees are free to offer the services and technologies of their own choosing.  

You might not think of your cell phone as a broadband device, but the technology uses data transmissions and the data speeds today are consistent with those offered by other broadband services.  

Mobile services are currently based on either the  GSM or CDMA families of technologies - - I will spare you all the different flavors.  Recently, WiMAX technology, which was originally focused on fixed wireless broadband service, is also being introduced for mobile service.

Today’s data speeds are up to 2 MB/s, but in practice that depends on a number of factors such as the distance from the cell tower and the amount of traffic or loading on the system.  And, of course, the broadband service is being deployed gradually over the existing coverage areas and so service may not be available as yet in particular locations.

All of the major technologies have developed evolutionary paths to faster data rates, eventually to more than 100 Mb/s
Each year the Commission publishes a report on the state of competition in the commercial mobile radio services.  It is available on the FCC web site and I would encourage you to read it.   

## Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) - Unlicensed

- Part 15 of the FCC rules provides for operation of unlicensed devices
- Many kinds of devicesoperate under these low power rules -Wi-Fi
- Various techniquesare used to enable broadband servicein rural areas
- Data speeds vary
- There are thousands of WISPs operatingon an unlicensed basis around the U.S.

**Metropolitan, Rural  & **
**Community Networks **

**Notes:**
Part 15 of the FCC rules provides for operation of unlicensed devices.

Many kinds of devices operate under these low power rules - includingWi-Fi devices.

Various techniques are used to enable broadband serviceto be deployed in rural areas.
No licensed is required.  All that you need to do is use equipment that has been certified as complying with the FCC’s technical rules.

In short, anyone can do it!  There are thousands of WISPs operating on an unlicensed basis around the U.S.

We have a session scheduled for later this afternoon where we will go over these provisions in some detail.  

## Broadband Over Power Lines

**Power Line Interface Device Located In Home**

**LV **
**Distribution **
**Transformer**

**Substation**

**~ MVolts**

**~ 1kVolts to 40 kVolts**

**~ 120/240 Volts**

**Notes:**
Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems use existing electrical power lines as a transmission medium to provide high-speed communications capabilities by coupling radio frequency (RF) energy onto the power line, which is then distributed into the home. BPL systems operate on an unlicensed basis under Part 15 of the FCC's rules. Because power lines reach virtually every community in the country, BPL has the potential to play an important role in providing broadband services to American homes and consumers. 
There are two types of BPL systems: 1) In-House BPL, which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer information between computers and other home electronic appliances; and 2) Access BPL systems, which carry high-speed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the Internet (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or Wi-Fi links. 

## BPL:  Bypassing the Transformer

**Low-Voltage Distribution Transformer**

**BPL:  Bypassing the Transformer**

**Notes:**
On of the real challenges for BPL is getting the radio signals to pass through the low voltage distribution transformers.  The transformers are not designed for this purpose and act like a sponge to soak up the radio signals.  This picture shows how the industry came up with a clever way to solve this problem by deploying bridges to bypass the transformer.  This works well, but means that there is some cost and complexity in setting up these networks.

## 
Thank you!

**Thank you!**

**Notes:**
That concludes my formal presentation and I look forward to your questions later in the day.