Access Network Upgrade Research Articles

Risk analysis of residential broadband upgrade in a competitive and changing market

The article presents risk and techno-economic analyses of broadband access network upgrade strategies for public network operators and cable operators in a competitive environment in the residential and small business market. The effect of uncertainties in predictions of critical parameters such as demand forecasts and market shares are analyzed. The assessed technology options include broadband twisted pair modem, hybrid fiber coax networks, and ATM-based passive optical networks.

Techno-economic evaluation of narrowband and broadband access network alternatives and evolution scenario assessment

The paper presents the main results obtained within the Research in Advanced Communications in Europe (RACE) project: 2087 TITAN regarding minimum-risk introductory routes for new narrowband and broadband services in the residential and small business market. The project developed a methodology and a tool for techno-economic evaluation of advanced narrowband and broadband telecommunications networks and services. Results from four extensive access network studies are presented. For the narrowband services, optical access and radio in the local loop have been assessed and compared to conventional copper layout in a greenfield environment. Access network upgrade strategies for emerging new broadband services have been evaluated in three studies, with technological options ranging from enhanced copper to hybrid-fiber-coax (HFC) and broadband passive optical networks. An extensive study on different broadband access network upgrade alternatives for public network operators (PNOs) were carried out, taking into account the diversity of conditions met today by European countries. In another study, the effect of competition In the access network was modeled assuming two main operators sharing the market. Broadband upgrade alternatives were evaluated for a new cable operator, competing with the dominant public network operator. In addition, video-on-demand (VoD) and Internet access upgrades have been analyzed. The paper demonstrates the viability of techno-economic studies for the access network, including in-depth analysis of the time-dependence of component cost, tariffs, service penetrations and market shares.

Multiservice access network upgrading in Europe: a techno-economic analysis

The article presents a techno-economic evaluation of strategies for developing the traditional access network along a cost effective path toward a future-proof multiservice broadband network. A broad range of appropriate network alternatives have been assessed for each of five representative European upgrade cases. The technological options that have been evaluated range from conventional copper-based networks to emerging new technologies such as hybrid fiber coax networks and ATM-based broadband passive optical networks. The techno-economic assessment was carried out by the Eurescom P306 project "Access network evolution and preparation for implementation", using the methodology and tool developed within the RACE 2087/TITAN project. The scenarios studied include gradual provisioning, from 1995 to 2005, of services like POTS, N-ISDN, asymmetric switched broadband, symmetric switched broadband, and broadcast broadband. The demand forecasts for the selected bearer services are extracted from a European Delphi survey, also carried out within TITAN. The quality of the existing infrastructure, the average subscriber capacity demand, and demography are among the key elements likely to affect the economic viability of access network upgrade strategies.