What is FTTx?

FTTx is the abbreviation for Fibre To The X, where the X changes depending on where the fibre will be connected to, for example, (FTTh) fibre to the home or (FTTc) fibre to the cabinet. Fibre is a form of telecommunications network architecture that connects the internet service providers (ISPs) to the customer’s premises by way of fixed lines to deliver high-speed broadband connections into homes, business and organizations all around the globe.  

The two main types of FTTx architectures:

1. FTTP which stands for Fibre To The Premises and 
2. FTTC stands for Fibre To The Cabinet.

Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) explained:

Fibre To The Premises is a fibre optic cable that is run from an optical distribution network (ODN) and into the central space of the subscriber’s premises. FTTP can be further broken down into two subcategories:

1. FTTH which is Fibre To The Home and
2. FTTB stands for Fiber To The Building.

Fibre To The Home (FTTH) is when the fibre optic cable is run into the subscriber’s living space or workspace. While Fibre To The Building (FTTB) is when the fibre optic cable stops just outside the subscriber’s building and is then conveyed the rest of the distance through other means.

Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) explained:

Fibre To The Cabinet is sometimes referred to as Fibre To The Curb or Fibre To The Node and is when the fibre optic cable is run from the optical distribution network (ODN) to a central platform or node. Individual customers can then connect to the platform or node with the use of twisted pair or coaxial cables. FTTC networks are defined by platforms that have ended their cables approximately 305 meters away from a customer’s premises. 

There are numerous types of FTTC’s but the main two are:

1. FTTN which stands for Fibre To The Neighbourhood and
2. FTTdp stands for Fibre To The Distribution Point.

Fibre To The Neighbourhood (FTTN) is when the fibre optic cables from the optical distribution network end in a central cabinet within the neighbourhood. Then individual customers can connect to the cabinet, each cabinet can connect several hundred customers and is located roughly 1,6km from its customers. And Fibre To The Distribution Point is very similar to FTTN however it is much closer to its customers, with a junction box just a few meters away, this allows for faster internet speeds. 

FTTx telecommunication networks will continue to replace the older copper-based networks as they have high capacities and speeds. This is why MTD Civils and Network planning began their journey with installing Fibre Networks across South Africa, intending to bring better connectivity and speeds to their customers. For more information visit our website: https://mtdcivils.com/ or call us on +(010) 446-8587