Module 4: Wired Broadband

Access Networks

April 2026
Contents
1. Legacy Access Networks
2. DSL Access Networks
3. FTTX Access Networks

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Last Mile Problem
• The Concept: The final physical leg connecting a service
provider’s network to the subscriber's premises.
• The Connectivity Paradox:
– The Goal: Providing high-speed access to homes cost-effectively
with required Quality of Service (QoS).
– The Reality: This segment is the most expensive part of the
network to build and the primary bottleneck for end-to-end
bandwidth.

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Infrastructure Reuse and Evolution
of Copper Usage
• Re-using Telephony Lines: For decades, the industry
avoided laying new cables by ‘sweating’ the existing
copper twisted-pair network.
• Global Ubiquity: Since several homes were already linked
via the legacy telephone system (PSTN), it was the most
immediate way to provide mass connectivity.
• The Evolution of Copper Usage
– Dial-up: Occupies the voice-grade band (56kbps); analog and slow.
– ISDN: Digital but expensive; billed by the minute (not suitable for
modern data).
– DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): The peak of copper technology;
uses high-frequency bands above voice for ‘always-on’ broadband.

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The Modern Paradigm: The Copper Switch-Off
• The industry is moving from "re-using existing cables" to a mandatory
‘Copper Switch-off’ due to three main factors:
1. Performance Limits: Copper cannot meet the multi-gigabit/low-latency
demands of modern ICT (e.g. 4K streaming, Cloud, IoT).
2. High Maintenance (OPEX): Copper is susceptible to corrosion and
environmental interference. Fiber maintenance costs are significantly lower.
3. Energy Efficiency: Optical networks (GPON/EPON) consume up to 80% less
energy per bit than legacy copper networks.
• The Transition Strategy
– Commercial Closure: Operators stop selling new DSL services in areas where
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) is available.
– Technical Closure: The physical disconnection of the copper network and the
removal of bulky equipment from Central Offices.
– Asset Recovery: ‘Mining’ old copper from the ground to recycle and help fund
the high CAPEX of new Fiber/GPON rollouts.
• Challenges in the Switch-off
– Universal Service Obligations: Ensuring remote/vulnerable users aren't left
behind.
– The Power Issue: Fiber terminals require local home power, whereas legacy
analog phones worked during power outages.

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Overview of Access Networks

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Dial-up Modem
• Transmits digital data over an analog medium
– Uses modem to convert digital signal to analog and then sends the
analog signal through analog network
• Operates over the normal telephone switching system
• Digital signal is treated like an analog and no need for additional
equipments at the CO side
– Analog signal is between 300 to 3400 Hz
• Uses a small portion of the available spectrum
• No simultaneous voice and data transmission, i.e., no duplex
operation
– A receiver also needs a modem for analog to digital conversion
• Data rate: 56 Kbps

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ISDN Modem
• Uses TDMA to multiplex users, i.e., digital technology
– Sends digital signals in telephone network
– Contains two B channels and one D channel (2B + D)
• B = 64 kbps, D = 16 kbps, and effective data rate is 128 kbps

• Advantages
– Faster than dial-up modem, both to connect and exchange data
– Does not tie up the line: Can send voice & data simultaneously
• Disadvantages
– Need an ISDN switch on the CO side and ISDN modem on the
customer side, which is expensive as compared to normal modem
– Need repeaters: Attenuation limits data rate over copper (COSTY!)
– It is more expensive than Dial-up on a monthly basis
• Newer, less expensive technologies replace ISDN

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E1 and T1
• Provide larger data rate than ISDN
• But require a repeater
– 900m from a node, and further repeaters for every
1800m thereafter
• Hence, expensive and maintenance intensive
• Half duplex on each UTP
• Full duplex requires 2 UTP (4W)
• They are being phased out, and replaced with
HDSL links

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T1 and E1 – Data Rate vs. Line Length

• To use copper access technologies

– Need shorter subscriber loop distances, typically less than 6 km.
• Average subscriber loop length varies from place to
place
– In many countries, most of the local loops are smaller than
5.5 km
– Trends to shorten the local loop, e.g., “fiber to the curb”
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Contents
1. Legacy Access Networks
2. DSL Access Networks
3. FTTX Access Networks

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Digital Subscriber Line - DSL
• DSL provides broadband services over existing local loop
– Larger rate than voice-grade and ISDN
– DSL utilizes the same cabling used for normal telephones
– DSL modem: Employ special modulation and encoding methods
• FDM is used to share the same line for data & analog traffic
– Data and speech are separated at the local exchange site

• DSL often referred to as xDSL

– Where x can be replaced by A, V, H, or S
– High data rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL): the first product
– Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL): follows HDSL
– Very high data rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL)
• xDSL includes two main branches
– Symmetric DSL: Identical data rates upstream and downstream
– Asymmetric DSL: Lower rates upstream but higher rates downstream

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xDSL Variants and speed

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xDSL: Speed vs Distance

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xDSL: Bandwidth vs Distance

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xDSL Techniques
• DSL transmits data in both directions simultaneously
– E.g., full duplex, at 160kbps over copper wire up to 5.5 km
– Modems at either end break the bandwidth up into two B channels (64kbps
each) and a D channel (16 kbps)
• Uses efficient modulation and line-coding techniques
– E.g., DMT or CAP
– Enable it to carry more bits in a single cycle (that is, Hz) than older twisted-
pair
• DSL is a point-to-point connection, i.e., it is always on
– When a computer is powered up, the connection is on throughout the day,
hence security concerns
– Need firewall and security software to prevent hacker
• DSL network uses echo canceller or equalizers to avoid
distortion and cross-talk
• DSL also retains power in the event of a power failure
– If electricity goes out, high-speed data services is lost but not the voice
services 16
Discrete Multitone Modulation (DMT)
• DMT separates a DSL signal into 256 individual channels
each 4.3125 kHz wide
• Each channel is M-QAM modulated
– The default value of M is 32, i.e., bit packing of 5 bits per hertz
• By varying the number of bits per symbol within a channel,
the modem can be rate-adaptive
– I.e., modulation methods depends on the signal quality
– Provides robustness
• DMT uses Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for modulation
and demodulation
• Channels in high frequency range are usually of lower
quality
– Signal weakening depends on distance and frequency
• Uses up to 1 MHz, higher frequencies are prone to
distortions

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DMT
• Total of 256 carriers of 4kHz BW
• Variable numbers of bits are put on each
carrier
– The portions of the frequency band that
suffer interference from other devices don't
have any bits put onto them

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xDSL High-Level Architecture

• Splitters are used at the CO and CPE to separate and combine

low-frequency and high-frequency signals.
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DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM)
• In switching center of service provider, splitters
separate voice call from data
– DSLM splits the voice and data traffic?????
– Splitters shunts traffic to a data network, away from the
circuit-switched network
• Voice call is forwarded into the telephony network
• Data are received by a DSLAM
– In the DSLAM, all DSL lines are coming together
– DSLAM multiplexes DSL lines into one high speed line
– The multiplexed traffic is passed into a WAN, usually
SDH

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High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL)
• HDSL is the oldest of the DSL techniques
• Goal: Replace old repeater-based T1 or E1 line by a repeater-
less systems
– Commonly used by telcos to provision T-1 or E-1 services
– No repeater up to 4 km on standard 24 gauge (0.5 mm) TP wire
• However, to allow longer distance repeaters can be used
– No repeaters => Less costly
– HDSL: Provisions digital services to business premises
– Supports symmetric data rate and full duplex
• HDSL uses 2 and 3 twisted-pairs for T1 and E1 services, respectively

• The allocation of bandwidth on HDSL

– In the T1 environment, it offers 784Kbps in each direction
– In the E-1 environment, it offers 1.168Mbps in each direction

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HDSL vs. T1 and E1
• Traditional T1 and E1
– Each pair carries the full data rate
– Repeaters are used: Spaced roughly every 900 to 1,800
meters

• HDSL modems uses inverse multiplexers (IM)

– IM converts a data stream into multiple lower data rate
comm. links
– Those bits can ride in the lower range of frequencies
– Thus extending the distance over which they can flow
without the need for a repeater
– Hence cost of provisioning service is reduced
– More customers, who are outside the range of the
traditional T-1/E-1, enjoy this high-bandwidth option

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Symmetric DSL (SDSL)
• In the wider sense
– SDSL is a DSL technologies that offer symmetric rate in
upstream and downstream and also full-duplex services
• In the narrow sense
– SDSL is a variant of HDSL that supports data only on a
single pair of copper wire with a maximum range of 5.5. km
• SDSL supports multiple data rates
– Offer speeds ranging from 192 kbit/s to 2.3 Mbit/s
– So you can subscribe to varying bandwidths
• Application: Video conferencing
• SDSL, unlike ADSL, can't co-exist with a conventional
voice service on the same pair
– i.e., it takes over the entire bandwidth

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Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
• ADSL: Developed in 1989 by Bellcore Labs
– Was intended to permit the local exchange carriers to compete
with the cable television companies
– Driver: The much-anticipated deployment of video-on-demand
– Provide up to 8 Mbps connectivity
• ADSL higher downstream data rate than upstream rate
– Hence asymmetric
– E.g., File downloads requires greater downstream BW than
upstream
• ADSL-Distance vs. Speed
– ADSL requires a maximum cable distance of 5.5 Km
– Typical rates are T1 or E1 downstream and 176 Kbit/s upstream
– Range and bit rate depend on each other (also the gauge of a wire)
• Without repeaters downstream bit rates of 2Mbit/s can be transmitted over 4km, 4Mbit/s over
3km and 6Mbit/s over 2km

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Very High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber
Line (VDSL)
• VDSL: Delivers very high-speed data over a single twisted
copper pair
– However, it operates over extremely short distances
• The loop length range from 300 to 1,500 meters
– VDSL is everyone's dream medium
• At longer distance, VDSL provides 13Mbps downstream
and maybe 1.5Mbps upstream
• At lower distance, it might be capable of providing up to
52Mbps downstream and around 6 Mbps upstream
Reach in m Downstream data rate Upstream data rate
300 52 Mbit/s 6.4 Mbit/s
300 m (S) 26 Mbit/s 26 Mbit/s
1.000 m 26 Mbit/s 3.2 Mbit/s
1.000 m (s) 13 Mbit/s 13 Mbit/s
1.500 m 13 Mbit/s 25 1.6 Mbit/s
VDSL2
• Standard: ITU-T G.993.2 (Profiles up to 30 MHz, e.g.,
Profile 30a).
• Vectoring (ITU-T G.993.5): Employs Pre-compensation
(Downstream) and Post-compensation (Upstream) to
cancel Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT).
– Enables 100 Mbps+ throughput by treating the binder as a single
MIMO-like system.
• Performance vs. Reach:
– Short Loop (<300m): Up to 100 Mbps symmetrical (Profile 30a).
– Medium Loop (1km): Drops to ~25 Mbps.
• Deployment: Fiber-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) / VDSL2.
• Limitations: Performance is highly dependent on copper
gauge and loop length; speeds drop significantly beyond
500m due to high-frequency attenuation.

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[Link]
• Standards: ITU-T G.9700/G.9701.
• Spectrum: Massive increase to 106 MHz or 212 MHz.
• Duplexing: Uses Time Division Duplexing (TDD) instead
of Frequency Division (FDD). This allows dynamic
allocation of the Downstream/Upstream ratio (e.g., 90/10
for streaming).
• Performance:
– <100m: 500 Mbps – 1 Gbps.
– 250m: Significant drop to <150 Mbps (high-frequency attenuation).
• Topology: Fiber-to-the-Distribution-Point (FTTdp). Copper
must be <100m to be viable.

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xDSL Performance Summary

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Contents
1. Legacy Access Networks
2. DSL Access Networks
3. FTTX Access Networks

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What is PON?
Passive Optical Network
Passive Optical
Splitter ONU
Optical Line Terminal

ONU

PSTN

Internet OLT Passive Optical

Splitter
ONU

CATV Optical Network Unit

➢ PON is a kind of passive optical network featuring one-to-multiple-point architecture;

➢ PON is short for Passive Optical Network ;
➢ PON consists of Optical Line Terminal (OLT), Optical Network Unit (ONU) and
Passive Optical Splitter.

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PON Standard Names
EPON: Ethernet Passive Optical Networks
GE-PON: Giga-bit Ethernet Passive Optical
Networks
GPON: Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks
XG-PON: 10G asymmetric GPON
XGS-PON: 10G symmetric GPON
NG-PON: Next-Generation PON

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Why GPON?
<1Mbps 3M 8M 25M 100M BD

Access ADSL/ADSL2+ VDSL / ADSL2+ PON

Technology Copper Based Copper Based Fiber Based

Coverage ~5km
<3km <2km <1km
diameter

Internet VoD Live TV

Service HDTV VoD
Video conferencing
requirements Game
Remote control HDTV

2002 2003 2006 2010

Time
• GPON（Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks）
• GPON supports Triple－play service, providing competitive all-service solution.
• GPON supports high-bandwidth transmission to break down the bandwidth bottleneck of
the access over twisted pair cables, so as to satisfy the requirements of high-bandwidth
services, such as IPTV and live TV broadcasts.
• GPON supports the long-reach (up to 20 km) service coverage to overcome the obstacle of
the access technology over twisted pair cables and reduce the network nodes.
• With complete standards and high technical requirements, GPON supports integrated
services in a good way.
• GPON is the choice of large carriers in the international market.

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Market share

33
GPON Principle: Data Multiplexing
GPON adopts Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology, facilitating bi-direction
communication over a single fiber.

1490nm

1310nm

To separate upstream/downstream signals of multiple users over a single fibre, GPON adopts
two multiplexing mechanism:
– In downstream direction, data packets are transmitted in a broadcast manner;
– In upstream direction, data packets are transmitted in a TDMA manner.

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GPON Principle: Downstream Data

▪Broadcast mode

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GPON Principle----Upstream Data

▪ TDMA mode

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GPON Frame Structure
Downstream Framing
125us
Physical Control Block Downstream
(PCBd)
Upstream
Payload
Bandwidth Map ONT1

AllocID Start End AllocID Start End

1 100 200 2 300 500

OLT

T-CONT1 T-CONT 2
(ONT 1) (ONT 2)
Slot Slot Slot Slot
100 200 300 500

ONT64
PLOu PLOAMu PLSu DBRu Payload x DBRu Y Payload y

Upstream Framing

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Comparison Between GPON and EPON
GPON EPON

Standard ITU.T IEEE

Rate 2.488G/1.244G 1.25G/1.25G

Split ration 1:64~1:128 1:16~1:32

Data encapsulation mode GEM/ATM Ethernet

Broadband efficiency 92% 72%

Line encoding NRZ 8B/10B

Power budget Class A/B/C Px10/Px20

Ranging Equalized logical reach RTT

by adjusting EqD

DBA Standard format Defined by vendors

TDM support CESoP / Native CESoP

ONT interconnectivity OMCI None

OAM powerful Weak, extended by vendors

Application mode Multi-service/ FTTx Pure data service

Maturity Large vendors involved Small vendors involved

Choice of carriers Carriers Enterprise Intranet

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Recent progress in PON standards

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Architecture of Optical Access Network
CO Customer
Premise
3.5-5km
xDSL 2~20Mbps Remote Business
BA DSLAM

ODN Curb

2.5Gbps Down /1.25Gbps Up

FTTC OLT

MDU
Multi-Dwelling Unit
2.5Gbps Down /1.25Gbps Up
FTTB OLT

ONU
Optical Networks Unit
2.5Gbps Down /1.25Gbps Up
FTTH OLT
ONT
Optical Line Termination Optical Networks Termination

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What is Optical Access Network?
From the architecture diagram, the optical access network comprises the following
scenarios:
1. FTTB scenario
As an access scenario for business users, Fiber to The Business (FTTB) scenario falls into
single business unit (SBU) and Business Multi-tenant unit (MTU) in terms of capacity. Of
them, SBU provides a comparatively small number of ports, including following types:
POTS, 10/100/1000BASE-T, RF(33dBmV), and DS1/T1/E1 ports; MTU provides a
comparatively larger number of ports, including following types: POTS,
10/100/1000BASE-T, RF and DS1/T1/E1 ports.
2. FTTC & FTTCab scenario
As an access to the curb or the cabinet over fibre, Fiber to The Curb& Fiber to The Cabinet
(FTTC & FTTCab) scenario is for the Multi-dwelling unit (MDU), providing a
comparatively larger number of ports, including following types: 10/100/1000BASE-T,
RF(33dBmV), VDSL2, and so on.
3. FTTH scenario
As an access to the home over fibre, Fiber to The Home (FTTH ) scenario is mainly for the
single family unit (SFU), providing a comparatively small number of ports, including
following types: POTS, 10/100/1000BASE-T, and RF(18dBmV).

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Overview of Addis Wired Access Network

42
Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN)
MSAN is a platform capable of supporting all
the widely deployed access technologies and
services.

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AA MSAN Network Topology
MSAN network is designed in such a way that all the MSAN rings will be
connected to IP-RAN network.
Exemplary AA MSAN Network Topology
MSAN distribution around 5 Kilo

46
PBL Assignment 1: The Addis Urban
Migration Audit
Scenario: The Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) requires a
technical report on replacing copper with fiber in a selected
neighborhood of Addis Ababa (e.g., Piassa, Bole, or Arat Kilo).
• Task: Briefly describe the evolution of xDSL (ADSL2+ to
VDSL2), GPON, and EPON.
• Practical Context: Compare these in terms of Ethiopian
reality:
• Standard & Performance: Which standard handles the
3km+ distances common in Addis better?
• Challenges: Identify two "Local Constraints" (e.g., damage
to cables during Addis Ababa's frequent road
maintenance or power surges affecting ONTs).
• Outcome: A 2-page "Migration Feasibility Study" justifying
why Ethio Telecom should (or shouldn't) retire copper in that
specific area today.

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PBL Assignment 2: Protocol Deep-
Dive
Scenario: You are a network auditor verifying that a local ISP is
providing the advertised Quality of Service (QoS). You must analyze
the physical signaling.
• Task: Identify the Modulation (DMT/QAM), Coding (FEC),
and Frame Structure for a hybrid network.
• Requirement: Every group must map the Downlink and
Uplink frame structure for the following two technologies:
1. VDSL2 (Profile 17a or 30a): Explain how "Vectoring"
cancels crosstalk in a typical 50-pair Addis apartment
riser.
2. XG-PON or NG-PON: Explain the GEM (GPON
Encapsulation Method) and how it carries Ethernet
frames.
• Outcome: A detailed diagram of a single frame showing
overhead, management bits, and payload. Contrast how
Asymmetry differs between the copper and fiber standards.

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PBL Assignment 3: MSAN
Scenario: A new Real Estate project (e.g., Ayat or Lebu) needs a
"Central Office" design for 1,200 subscribers. You must select and
configure the hardware.
• Task: Select a single MSAN/OLT product commonly used in
Ethiopia (e.g., Huawei SmartAX MA5600T or ZTE ZXA10
C300).
• Analysis:
• Technology Mix: Calculate how many GPON line cards
vs. VDSL2 cards are needed if 20% of users still have old
copper-only telephones.
• Distance: If the sub-neighborhood is 4km away, justify
the use of a Remote Cabinet (FTTC) vs. Direct Fiber
(FTTH).
• The "Addis Power" Solution: Design a battery/UPS
backup system that can keep this MSAN running for 6
hours during a local power outage.
• Outcome: A "Bill of Quantities" (BoQ) and a technical
justification for the hardware choice based on the product’s
datasheet.
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