SPOTLIGHT
The often overlooked last mile: Network Layer 4 / In-house network
For example, ‘fibre-to-the-building’ – i.e. fibre optic only to the basement and not to the home – or even ‘fibre-to-the-curb’ – i.e. just to that shiny light grey switch box out on the street. Yes, a ‘fibre-to-the-home’ expansion costs money and causes mess. So if there is a powerful in-house network (i.e. star-shaped, return channel-capable and double-shielded coaxial cabling) that can also transport 1,000 Mbit/s smoothly and easily to the end customer... why should you go through all that trouble? Regardless of the background, hybrid networks will be still with us for quite some time. And therefore they must (be able to) be properly documented. Because if I don’t have my in-house networks under control, my entire beautiful fibre optic rollout is useless. Fortunately, such software solutions do exist. But even if I, as a provider, enter the premier league of multimedia provision (and therefore expand FTTH), it will rarely be new buildings where I can sit at the construction management table from the outset and share the abundant empty conduits with the electrician. Instead, it will mostly be existing buildings where I am required to first find and define sensible cable routes. No disused chimneys, riser pipes, cable ducts, etc.? Then counteract the beautiful stucco in the art deco stairwell (listed building regulations come to mind) or would it be better to access
By AND Solution GmbH
Fibre optics are the fastest, best and most stable medium for data transmission. Of course, because what could be faster than the speed of light? But often, a telecommunications provider’s fibre optic offering is nothing more than a sham.
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DECEMBER 2025 Volume 47 No.4
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