G.FAST, a factor in EU broadband penetration

ITRealms:

G.fast, a technology that is yet to be fully realized by the industry is set to emerge as a major solution for service providers looking to meet European Union kind of broadband penetration targets set out as 2020 strategy and digital agenda initiative, reports ITRealms.

The chief executive officer (CEO), Broadband Forum, Mr. Robin Mersh at the G.fast pre-conference focus day ahead of Wednesday’s Fixed Access Networks Summit in Berlin, highlighted that G.fast is a global solution for hard-pressed service providers looking to meet the growing customer demand.

Also, ITRealms report that G.fast will provide from 300 to 800 Megabits Per Second (Mbps) with fast, cost-effective deployment, a breakthrough in self-install capabilities due to a unique reverse-power feature, and even the option to use the technology for mobile backhaul.

“Those who think G.fast is just another DSL technology are way off the mark – G.fast is coming fast and it’s going to make an enormous difference for service providers and their customers,” he said, stressing that G.fast is a giant step away from Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), borrowing the best from ADSL and VDSL to create a new generation of technology that is lower in power, more efficient, faster and easier to install.”

Smaller equipment and self-install capabilities give operators a more cost- effective method of deploying FTTH-speeds to the subscriber’s home by deploying fiber up to the last 200m, from which the distribution point can then utilize G.fast to complete the final meters. This avoids the cost of sending a technician, the inefficiency of scheduling technicians, and the inconvenience to the customer of having a technician in their home.

“Customer self-install environment was included in the design of G.fast from the beginning and will therefore bring significant cost savings. Alternative technologies, such as VDSL2, were not designed from the start for a customer self-install, it was always assumed that the technician would install it.”

Mersh’s abstract comes as the Broadband Forum continues to develop its global G.fast testing program in order to meet market demand and Digital Agenda objectives, and enable interoperability. Testing is already under development and includes functional, interoperability and performance testing, however support is needed from service providers in defining requirements and test cases.

Chuks Egbuna/GEE
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