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How about that: Fiber Optics in the Homes, Right
on your Doorstep
Coaxial Cable vs. Fiber Cable; DSL (and all its succeeding
derivation technology) vs. Optical Fiber; Copper vs. Glass; this is
the telecommunications battle often waged across the internet, and
at present with no decided victor.
Yet, of those existing telecommunications technologies, it is clear
that DSL had a substantial head start, with miles and miles of
telephone lines already installed over most localities. These analog
systems, as an internet access, however have a limited range, due to
effects of attenuation over long distance, copper as an average
medium, and its predisposition to distortion. DSL, particularly ASDL,
SDSL and HDSL, are benchmarking internet speed access albeit short
distances only.
That places fiber optics in a disadvantage. Fiber optic materials
are very expensive due to the manufacturing it requires. Though
plastic is a cheaper fiber optic material, it still cost
comparatively higher than copper telephone lines. The manpower, such
as digging trenches for the fiber optic cable (as telephone poles
aren’t suited for fiber optic use) is costly, the acquiring of
government permit to dig those trenches is also another added cost.
In the end, the setting up cost couldn’t be justified if fiber
optics in the homes is added for direct consumer internet access.
But that doesn’t change the fact that fiber optics is still the best
telecommunications technology there is. It is a hundredfold superior
than copper cables will ever be. Having significantly lesser
attenuation makes it the best choice for long distance internet
access, and its non susceptibility to crosstalk, interference, and
temperature changes makes it the better choice for remote internet
cable installation.
That’s why fiber optics most visible use is long distance
telecommunications service, typically a continent to continent
“peer-to-peer” handshake using the vast network of intercity and
transoceanic optical fiber communications line. Among this
intercontinental optical fiber line is the Submarine Communications
Cable with the capacity of 2.56 terabit per second. Compare that
magnitude with a conventional ASDL downstream which is 512 kilobits
per second, and you’ll know the magnitude of the difference.
However, all’s gone to change soon. Numerous telecommunications
projects have been mostly laying down optical fibers, even DSL
internet providers. Yes, they are still from the telephone company
like the “Baby Bells” (read The Verizon 100 Megabit Challenge at:
www.newnetworks.com/tellthetruthverizon.htm), because telephone
companies like Verizon saw the potential of fiber optics in
business. Cable providers are also upping up cable service, like
Comsat’s investment to put more glass pipes underground. And when
Verizon will state that they will be bringing fiber optics in the
homes right at the doorstep, anyone should listen, not only because
Verizon is among the leaders of telecommunications, but these
projects are too costly to demean with.
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