Fiber-optic network cabling and connectivity specialist OFS will showcase its technical and industry leadership in a series of sessions at the 2015 FTTH Connect Conference (June 29-July 1) in Anaheim, California. According to a company press release, the dates and titles of OFS panels and presentations at the event are as follows:
-- FTTH Basics and Network Design, presented by Mark Boxer, Applications Engineer and Manager and Jeff Bush, Professional Services Manager for OFS on June 29, 2015 from 9:45 – 10:30AM
Abstract: This presentation is a comprehensive look at FTTH basics and covers a broad range of topics. The presentation compares FTTH to other available technologies, demonstrates how all aspects of the communications network are using fiber and presents the basic network topology. The presentation starts with the various drivers for FTTx, including a focus on video services including 4K TV. After reviewing the bandwidth demand side, we will review why fiber is an excellent medium. This section will include comparison of the physical attributes of fiber versus other wired media, as well as the benefits to operators for deploying fiber in the network. The next section highlights ways that fiber is deployed in different types of networks, including traditional telco, cable, wireless, and utility networks. Another section includes a description of various fiber architectures, including various types of PON and point-to-point networks. A detailed review of how fiber works then follows and includes an overview of typical components of the FTTX network. The final two sections discuss installation techniques and network design configurations.
-- Thinking Ahead to 10 Gigabits, presented by John George, Director, Solutions and Professional Services for OFS on June 29, 2015 from 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM.
Abstract: Gigabit FTTH is being deployed by over 60 providers and counting in the Americas. That might seem like the end game for high speed broadband networks – but it is only the beginning of the Gigabit era. While some observers have noted that there has been no “killer” application that needs a Gigabit connection, this is only temporary. Already applications such as life logging are being envisioned to leverage Gigabit connections. In the next few years the number of customers connected with speeds >100 Mb/s to 1 Gb/s will increase from thousands to millions from FTTH deployments announced and in place by AT&T, CenturyLink, Google, Verizon, COX, and many smaller others. Gigabit application developers will rush to serve this market – just like application developers very quickly filled the 10 Mb/s pipes thought by some to be all we would ever need only 10 years ago.
The cycle of new applications and speed upgrades will likely repeat again, next time to 10 Gb/s. Google announced in 2014 they plan to test 10 Gb/s connections in 3 years and possibly provide the service by 2022 or earlier. A small ISP in the US recently announced a 10 Gb/s service for $400/month, the same price point for 1 Gb/s speeds only a few years ago. The technology to support up to 40 Gb/s FTTH will be standardized and available by 2016, offering even higher speeds for the future.
The challenge for those building FTTH today is how to assure the fiber cabling and connectivity will support not only 1 Gb/s, but also upgrades to 10 Gb/s and even 40 Gb/s, on fibers which will be in place for decades? These higher speed systems will have greater sensitivity to bending, allow for multiple speeds on the same fiber, and even offer the option for higher split ratios that will place even more importance on minimizing optical signal loss. What are the means to cost effectively support this upgrade path without incurring labor intensive, expensive additions to the fiber infrastructure that is in the air on poles or underground?
A new generation of optical fiber, cable and connectivity technologies are available that can enable service providers to support 1 Gb/s through 40 Gb/s connections on the same fiber infrastructure more cost effectively. New examples include fiber for OSP cables with both low attenuation and low bending loss in the same fiber, new generation micro-cables that can fit double the number of fibers in the same duct to avoid costly digging, new smaller pluggable drop cables, and tiny fibers that can be run inconspicuously all the way into a home to an indoor ONT. These technologies will be presented in a vendor neutral manner. Attendees will have a better understanding of the latest available FTTH technologies, and be positioned to build cost effective Gigabit FTTH today that’s ready for inevitable upgrades to 10 Gb/s and beyond.
The conference will also feature the company's MDU Panel and Super Breakout Session, moderated John George, Director, Solutions and Professional Services for OFS, on June 29, 2015 from 8:00 – 9:30AM.
For more information, visit www.ofsoptics.com.