PAUL CHURM BROADBAND ROLLOUT
disruption can be more severe. This is because of the effect on the FWA’s virtual routing and forwarding – if impaired, the connection will drop out, leaving any homes reliant on FWA unable to access the internet. The backhaul technology used in FWA solutions also tends to be copper-based, which can be affected by heavy rainfall in the same manner as coax cabling. In such situations, attenuation – the loss of signal strength – may occur. For the increasing number of people working from home or reliant on smart technologies, this is an unacceptable situation.
for innovation. The development of an internally or externally-mounted box that could catch the cable when it enters the property would allow a single installer to quickly connect multiple homes from the distribution point, allowing for easier scheduling with existing homeowners. This, in turn, could allow the supporting installer to be deployed to additional projects, further speeding up superfast broadband rollout in line with government targets. Solutions like REHAU’s new EasyConnect box, which was designed with a house connection micro duct that is automatically sealed, water and gas-tight up to 0.5 bars of pressure, allow such benefits to be realised in a one-visit, one-technician approach. The ‘blowing-in’ process can be further streamlined if ducting up to the cable box on the side of the house had been installed when the property was first constructed. By doing so, a rapid installation within a few hours with best possible internet speeds could be realised when the homeowner requests fibre-optic broadband, as only a few drilled holes for cabling are required.
The key appeal of this technology is that coax capability already exists across the country, with the original thicker wiring firstly being used for cable television, and later by ISPs. Indeed, the technology has progressed over the years to the extent that the latest variation, MoCA 2.5, can support speeds up to 2.5Gb/s. As such, it can be inexpensive and efficient for ISPs to implement.
UPCOMING CHALLENGES
However, though MoCA is undoubtedly faster than standard copper wiring, the fact it is made of the same material means it is not futureproofed against rising data usage in UK homes. The fact that BT Openreach is planning to retire its copper network by 2025 might also means options to use MoCA technology are limited in the UK. Additionally, problems can still arise when connecting coaxial cables to rural homes from the toby box. A long-standing issue associated with this technology is that due to its thickness and stiffness, its efficacy for data provision declines the longer the cable is to the residence. The cable must also be grounded to avoid interference from the likes of surging power supplies and extreme weather, which could result in further disruption in the future.
FIBRE-TO-THE-HOME
Attenuation issues are alleviated in fibre- optic broadband through the use of robust and easy-to-install polymer micro ducts. Fibre-optic technology is traditionally the most high-speed option available to homeowners, and therefore the most ideally placed to handle exponentially growing household data transfer requirements. In order to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity, the cabling can be ‘blown in or pushed’ from the nearby toby box into the residence via these micro ducts, using high-speed compressed air. The cable is then caught on the other side and the home is connected. While simple-sounding, this has traditionally been a complicated process with several barriers for implementation. First and foremost is the fact that two technicians are required to carry out the installation – one at the distribution point, and another within the home to receive the cable. For already- occupied properties all linked up to a single exchange, this can be a logistical nightmare as homeowners’ schedules and ability to attend works can vary massively, resulting in a staggered, time-consuming process of coordinating connections. This problem is further compounded by a UK-wide shortage of skilled fibre technicians. Keeping two personnel on a single site for longer can hamper efforts for larger rollouts and quicker uptake across the nation. Consequently, and given fibre’s status as a high-speed and reliable solution, any innovation that can streamline this process could be key to reaching the goals set out in the Government’s ‘Project Gigabit’ plan – specifically, that all homes should be gigabit-capable by 2025.
SWIFT INSTALLATION
Housebuilders are already becoming increasingly aware of this as a selling point for potential new buyers, with Barratt Homes now including ducting to the doorstep as standard on their new residential properties. Similarly, landlords of multi-dwelling units like student accommodation are beginning to realise the benefits of this sort of swift fibre-optic installation, giving occupants access to a vital utility at a rent reflecting this convenience. Such simplicity, combined with the benefits on offer, means it is easier to obtain a wayleave agreement for work on private residential properties. In conclusion, pressures on existing broadband infrastructure due to WFH arrangements and advancing smart technologies means innovation is required to ensure the country is fit for the future. Taking this into account, multiple options are available to ISPs looking to increase uptake and access to superfast broadband in line with the Government’s Project Gigabit targets, including MoCA 2.5, FWA and fibre-optic technology. However, while all come with existing positives and negatives, innovations in the home installation space have made it easier to pass on the benefits of fibre-optic broadband – including a high-speed and reliable connection – with minimal disruption.
FIXEDWIRELESS ACCESS
Another popular way of implementing fast broadband to hard-to-reach homes is through fixed wireless access technology (FWA), which provides wireless connectivity through radio frequency (RF) links at two fixed points. Though backhaul technology is required to link the distribution point – in this case, a wireless radio tower – to the UK’s wider broadband infrastructure, no cabling is needed from this distribution point to the home. Known as a wireless local loop, this arrangement means FWAs can avoid the ‘last mile’ cabling issues that can be experienced by MoCA networks. This lack of works has resulted in FWA becoming increasingly popular with alternative network providers – networks not dependent on existing broadband infrastructure – in rural settings.
RF SIGNAL DISRUPTION
Yet while FWA is undeniably innovative, the reliance on RF signals does present certain drawbacks. Like coax cabling, these signals can be inconsistent and prone to disruption from external events such as electrical storms and power grid fluctuations. However, in contrast its copper-based counterpart, the consequences of this
EASYCONNECT
With this in mind, suppliers such as REHAU have been focusing on cable blowing-in boxes as a potential avenue
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ISSUE 24 | Q2 2021
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