The Next Generation Access Networks as a Critical Factor of the Digital Future of Hellas

Abstract

Telecommunications have huge technological growth since their beginning. Statistically, every six years the bandwidth, provided to broadband service subscribers, is tenfold. This is due to the fact that, the last few years, evolving applications, depend more and more on the use of network services with
large bandwidth demands. In this way, telecommunications companies are forced to continuously upgrade their networks. Existing broadband networks are developed through backbone networks, where transmission of data is based on Optical Fibers. These types of fibers are able to gather data from a huge area and transmit them in long distances. Furthermore, many Metropolitan/ Local Networks are connected to the backbone network and contain a number of smaller local junctions. Finally, via these local junctions, smaller networks are directed to the subscribers. These networks constitute the Next Generation Access networks, and the last few years their implementation depends on optical fibers. These Next Generation Access networks or otherwise Fiber to the x (FTTx), and as a final stage Fiber to the Home (FTTH), where the final point is the residence of the subscriber, is considered as the next logical
step to the growth of the Next Generation Access networks. The transition from current networks to FTTH contains the replacement of all the existing infrastructures from the end user until the junction point. This leads to high investments, where it is essential to estimate with accuracy, all the expenses and the revenues of the project. It is important to study the costs for digging of ditches and the installation of
the optical fibers. Moreover, the operating expenses for maintenance and growth of the network are important. Previously, manufacturers and telecommunications companies must take decisions at different levels, such as how the optical technology must be installed, which architecture must be implemented and which is the best way to install the proper equipment to the subscribers etc.