BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/565727
64 | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | www.broadbandcommunities.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 TECHNOLOGY Powered Fiber Cable Adds Value to FTTH Networks Powered fber cables and PoE Extender technology open up new revenue streams for FTTH providers by enabling them to support such outdoor devices as surveillance cameras and Wi-Fi access points. By Ryan Chappell / TE Connectivity O perators of FTTH networks are looking beyond adding broadband subscribers to fnd new sources of revenue to better monetize their investments. One promising way to add revenue to an FTTH network is by deploying an outdoor network of Wi-Fi access points (APs) or HD video cameras and leasing access to these assets to entities such as municipalities, police departments, fre departments, homeowners associations or security frms. A powered fber cable system, along with Power over Ethernet (PoE) Extender technology, can overcome power and protocol challenges to simplify the addition of Wi-Fi APs and HD video cameras to an FTTH network. WI-FI AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE ARE HOT Video surveillance and Wi-Fi hotspots are both rapidly growing applications. According to Transparency Market Research, the global video surveillance market is slated to grow at an 18.1 percent CAGR from 2014 to 2020, and sales will increase from $14.98 billion in 2013 to $43.82 billion by the end of 2020. Te drivers for this growth are an increased desire for security as well as rapidly declining costs for video cameras, which can now be purchased for as little as $80 each. In the Wi-Fi space, municipalities' desire for ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage as well as cellular carriers' need to ofoad mobile network trafc is driving growth. MarketsandMarkets forecasts the global Wi-Fi market to grow from $12.89 billion in 2014 to $26.19 billion by 2019. In terms of regions, North America is expected to be the largest market; Asia Pacifc and Latin America are expected to experience increased market traction during the forecast period. Tough leasing access to FTTH networks for Wi-Fi and video surveillance is a good strategy for FTTH network operators, it poses challenges. Wi-Fi APs and HD video cameras require power as well as data connections, and these are not easy to establish in outdoor networks based on GPON technology. THE CHALLENGES: POWER AND PROTOCOL Access to power is the frst challenge in adding devices to an FTTH network. Te traditional method of getting power is to tie into local 120VAC power at the device location or to use PoE fed by the optical network terminal (ONT) inside a customer's ofce or residence (assuming the installed ONT ofers PoE output and has this port available). Video cameras and Wi-Fi APs, however, are placed in outdoor areas, so it's not always feasible to use power from customer ONTs. Tat leaves local power as the primary option. In any setting, HD video cameras or Wi-Fi APs must be placed in specifc locations to perform as needed, but there may be no power