Comparison Of Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) And Fiber To The Node (FFTN) Approaches For National Broadband Network (NBN) In Australia

Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) approach

In providing Australia with high speed broadband services, the major political players of the country have advocated different views. In one approach, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is based on Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). This approach has the support of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), claiming “The original Labor NBN would have delivered optic fibre to 93 per cent of homes and businesses, providing speeds of up to one gigabit per second on a network easily scalable to much higher speeds in the future....” [https://cdn.australianlabor.com.au/documents/Labors_Positive_NBN_Policy.pdf] (accessed August 2018.) It is based on the following points. “The ALP's NBN relies on a taxpayer-funded monopoly taking a decade to get fibre optic cable to 93 per cent of buildings in the country (12 million premises) at a capital cost of $37.4billion and total funding of $44.1 billion.

• Potential download speed: FTTP customers: 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps (can go down to 12 Mbps, depending on package chosen). Fixed wireless customers: 25 Mbps. Satellite customers: 6 Mbps (increasing to 25 Mbps when new satellites launch in 2015)
• Completion date: 2021
• Competition: NBN is monopolywholesale network.” Source: ABC News, Greg Jennett, Broadband policy: where the parties stand, updated13 Aug 2013, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/ federal-election/4660778 (accessed August 2018.)

There are also opposing views to this approach. For example, some prefer greater investment in 4G and other wireless technologies or demand more private sector involvements and avoiding government monopoly. Current Australian Government and the Federal Coalition, arguing that the NBN in its original proposed form was too expensive, has opposed it since its inception.

The Coalition argue, “Our estimate... is that this project will require total funding from the government of $94 billion.... If you combine a more realistic approach to pricing and a less expensive network to service, you can see that broadband costs are considerably lower under the Coalition. Now this is a critical point because the biggest barrier to internet access is not technology, it is affordability...” [https://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/transcript-launch- of-the-coalition-broadband-policy] (accessed August 2018.) This can also be seen from the following information.

“The Coalition's NBN network would take fibre to neighbourhood cabinets or ‘nodes’, leaving existing copper cables to connect the final few hundred metres to the home or business. Its Fibre to the Node (FFTN) network has a capital cost of $20.4 billion and total funding of $29.5 billion.

ATNSp18ShortRep2.doc (Seyed Shahrestani)

• Potential download speed: FTTN ‘minimum’ 25-100 Mbps by end 2016. 50-100 Mbps by end 2019 for ‘vast majority’.
• Completion date: 2019
• Competition: Policy is to ‘remove or waive impediments to competition.’ Practically, could allow Telstra and Optus to compete, using existing networks designed for Pay- TV.
• Pricing: Wholesale price cap set by ACCC.” Source: ABC News, Greg Jennett, Broadband policy: where the parties stand, Updated13 Aug 2013, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/broadband-policy-explainer-federal- election/4660778 (accessed August 2018.)

The Coalition Government has also released aCost-benefit analysis of the Labor’s NBN.

“The 200-page report claims that the Coalition’s preferred mixed technology NBN has net benefits, relative to Labor’s FTTP build, of $16 billion which is comprised of lower costs (around $10 billion) and higher benefits (around $6 billion).....However it fails to account for and disclose how much it would cost to upgrade the Coalitions’ mixed technology approach to

a fully-fledged fibre-to-the-premise model..” [https://www.communications.gov.au/departmental-news/independent-cost-benefit-analysis- nbn] (accessed August 2018.)

Which approach is better for providing high speed broadband access in Australia?

Identify the controversies, various sides of the story (pros and cons for each) to compare and critically analyse these approaches. Please do not forget that your work and any conclusions reached, or any opinions expressed, must be comprehensive, fully justified, and free of emotions. It must be based on research that is founded on a strong and systemic literature review.

National Broadband Network (Australia) venture, via a blend of major legislative interest in framework supported by strong Government arrangements, means to interface every single Australian family unit and organizations to a high– speed broadband system. It is a fundamental segment of Australia's National Digital Economy Strategy and its point of changing Australia into one of the world's main five computerized economies by 2020 (Gregory, 2016).

An incredible piece of the criticism facilitated at the NBN fights that it doesn't fit in with the current budgetary model of project– based, profit– driven, privatized establishment frameworks, and that it is reminiscent of tyrant, broad state– bolstered exercises of past occasions.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) depends on Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) approach.

Fiber to the Premises - or Fiber to the Home - is one of seven advances being utilized for Australia's National Broadband Network rollout. In the event that your house is associated with the NBN by fiber optic link, fortunate you. This is extraordinary compared to other broadband associations accessible in Australia. If your house is associated with the NBN by fiber optic link, fortunate you. This is a standout amongst other broadband associations accessible in Australia.Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) depicts a NBN web association where a home or business is straightforwardly associated with the NBN connect with fiber optic links. It is the Rolls Royce of NBN connections. It varies from other NBN advances by having fiber optic links run the distance from the NBN straight up to your entryway, as opposed to substandard alternatives, similar to old copper telephone lines. The utilization of fiber optic links implies that FTTP associations will be quicker and more dependable on the grounds that the exchange of information over fiber optics isn't contrarily influenced over long separations. This methodology is in help of The Australian Labor Party which a noteworthy focus is left political gathering in Australia (AUSTRALIA, 2011). The gathering has been in resistance at the government level since the 2013 race.

As per NBN's 2017 corporate arrangement, somewhere in the range of 17% and 21% of premises will be interface with the National Broadband Network by means of Fiber to the Premises. In most cases, FTTP associations will be accessible in territories where take a shot at the NBN initiated before the adjustment in government in 2013 or in regions where cabling as of now exists. In new lodging bequests, for example. To get you associated, NBN will introduce a couple of bits of equipment inside and outside your home. These incorporate a utility box outwardly mass of your home, a system end gadget (NTD, or association box) inside, and a power supply with reinforcement battery to run with it. NBN takes care of all costs identifying with this establishment (Frieden, 2015).

Benefits of FTTP

The main bit of gear you'll have to give yourself is a remote switch for a Wi-Fi arrange so you can impart your association with whatever is left of the house. Your NBN specialist organization will offer you another NBN-prepared switch with your new arrangement, on the off chance that you require it. You'll utilize an Ethernet link to associate your remote switch to your NTD. Relatively each and every modem switch incorporates one of these in the crate. Switches likewise require a committed power source, and in that capacity, an extra electrical outlet.

The expense of interfacing your home to the NBN is paid for by the administration. Once associated, you at that point need to pick another NBN plan that suits you well. In case you're prepared to associate with the NBN, there are a couple of vital variables to consider in picking an arrangement (Gregory, 2016). Cost is dependably a thought, yet you ought to likewise consider the accompanying factors:

• Connection speed.
• Data amount included.
• Number of accounted phone calls.
• Contract length.
• Evening Speed.

FTTP flaunts the most astounding web exchange speed among all network access choices. It's way in front of most DSL web bundles and coaxial link associations. FTTC associations may reach up to 70 Mbps while unadulterated fiber arrangements can reach up to 1 Gbps. The symmetrical idea of fiber enables supporters of download and transfer information and records at a similar speed. Gushing media is rendered with no falters or loss of value, cloud applications run easily, and VoIP calls are completely clear even on long separations (Koppula, & Kumar, 2016).

In link establishment, some of the time it's unavoidable to meet obstruction running from modern sources, i.e., warming, control substations, ventilating, and so forth. Fiber optic is a material that is exceedingly impervious to electromagnetic impedance. Also, it's a considerably more dependable wellspring of web association with regards to flag transmissions since it utilizes light innovation, not present (Yoo, 2014).

Fiber is truly outstanding at giving a protected transmission stage. There's at present no real way to intrude on the stream of information when contrasted with web benefits that make utilization of electromagnetic vitality getting away from link lines and other electron-based transmissions.

Fiber optic is harder, stronger and not as defenseless to harm, and along these lines needs less downtime as there won't be numerous repairs and support required. This brings more uptime for the endorsers. Fiber optic material can last up to 40 years while copper-based lines require refreshing once like clockwork with a specific end goal to stay operational (Katz, Vaterlaus, Zenhäusern & Suter, 2010).

Factors to consider when choosing an NBN plan

The building structure behind FTTP is made to be adaptable and adjustable. This implies it very well may be enhanced and extended effortlessly and inside short notice. This enables organizations to change their speed on interest (ZHAO et al, 2009).

The most outstanding burden of having FTTP is the expense of administration. Organizations can settle on DSL associations of FTTC benefit lines however to the detriment of unwavering quality and speed. Having a web association that always goes disconnected amid your activity hours is an issue that you shouldn't need to manage. The downtime additionally influences correspondence among representatives and clients alike.

FTTP is hard to introduce and requires a more drawn out execution period. Since fiber optic lines are covered ISPs should uncover open streets and walkways to bring you fiber association. Introducing the line straight to your business will set aside some opportunity to finish, which can end up being an issue in the event that you require web association immediately. The upside is that you'll get every one of the focal points unwavering quality, security, versatility and speed once everything is set up and prepared to go (Ohmori, Yamao & Nakajima, 2010).

Since FTTP is versatile you can pick your web speed now and still have the alternative to move up to a higher speed later. You'll simply need to prepare.

The second approach is preferring the wireless technologies, investing on 4G Networks or demand more private sector involvements and avoiding government monopoly.

According to 4G Network, 4G in full means the fourth mobile network technology which is fast than the 3G technologies (West, 2013). It is mostly available with all current smartphones being manufactured day in day out. If one is able to cop up with its costs, then it’s very fast to make one finish his or her duties on time.

• It is very fast in terms of data exchange.
• 4G systems have more capabilities to help its users rely on hotspots.
• Very helpful in offering security, protection and wellbeing.

• Not all regions / areas have the 4G connection.
• It’s very expensive to cop up with 4G Data plans on daily basis.

This could be of great importance if the approach is used. It’s a technology that uses radio waves

to transmit and receive data. It is rapidly increasing nowadays as it operates without any physical

Connections helping the entire Australia be of great help. This maybe a great approach if the

entire Australia adopt it since it will be less costly than the National Broadband Network that only operates within fiber cables. Fiber cables are expensive compared to the wireless technologies and they require much time for them to be implemented as the core broadband network supply. However, the following are some of its merits and demerits.

They are very convenient as the systems allow users to work from any area.

It has enhanced mobilization as clients can get to the web even outside the administration areas.

Working from any point or areas allows production with high note.

Expansibility is available as all clients can operate from all extensions of the main system.

They are relatively cheap compared to the means of network access like the NBN.

They are prone to security issues due to some hackers over the transmission areas.

Its range sometimes brings a challenge. Mainly the established hotspots won’t work from far much distances.

They are basically slower than the normal types of networks e.g. the NBN plans.

Conclusion

It will be of great impact to the Australian people and government if by 2020 the National Broadband Network of Australia will have implemented all the discussed ways to all regions in Australia (Ying, 2011). This will create more benefits to the people and the enterprises which use network. Every organization will experience real time services if the network will be implemented. The broadband improvement will facilitate businesses and increase the efficiency.

Reference

AUSTRALIA, W., 2011. NATIONAL Broadband Network.

Frieden, R., 2015. Lessons from broadband development in Canada, Japan, Korea and the United States. Telecommunications Policy, 29(8), pp.595-613.

Gregory, M.A., 2016. National Broadband Network. Australian Journal of Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, 4(2), p.ii.

Koppula, A. and Kumar, G.K., 2016. VHDL Implementation of All Digital OFDM Modulator and Demodulator for Wireless Broadband Applications (FPGA). structure, 3(8).

Katz, R.L., Vaterlaus, S., Zenhäusern, P. and Suter, S., 2010. The impact of broadband on jobs and the German economy. Intereconomics, 45(1), pp.26-34.

Ohmori, S., Yamao, Y. and Nakajima, N., 2010. The future generations of mobile communications based on broadband access technologies. IEEE communications magazine, 38(12), pp.134-142.

West, D.M., 2013. Mobile learning: Transforming education, engaging students, and improving outcomes. Brookings Policy Report, pp.1-7.

Ying, C.A.I., 2011. Analysis of Homeplug AV Technology Used to Design HFC Network Transformation [J]. China Digital Cable TV, 6, p.017.

Yoo, C.S., 2014. Would Mandating Broadband Network Neutrality Help or Hurt Competition-A Comment on the End-to-End Debate. J. on Telecomm. & High Tech. L., 3, p.23.

ZHAO, Z.D., MENG, L.M. and XU, Z.J., 2009. The Design and Application of Open Network Management Software Based on SNMP [J]. China Digital Cable TV, 6, p.020.