The impact of accelerated DSL technologies on meeting European Digital Agenda targets

Introduction

Attempting to stretch copper for a 100Mbps broadband target shows up the huge variations between legacy network topologies: it could work well in the final third in some countries, but may have limited impact in others.

Vectoring, pair-bonding and phantom-mode technologies promise greatly improved rate-reach metrics for copper, as well as faster, cheaper roll-outs. This Viewpoint examines the potential of these technologies for meeting the European Commission's Digital Agenda targets for coverage of 30Mbps and 100Mbps broadband - also known as ‘superfast' and ‘ultra-fast' broadband.

This Viewpoint provides:

• analysis of the rate-reach of accelerated DSL technologies
• models of local and cabinet loop topologies in real networks
• an assessment of the potential for 30Mbps and 100Mbps coverage on copper
• an assessment of the role of copper in delivering 50% take-up in 100Mbps service by 2020.

Figure 2: Indicative degradation of performance of
VDSL2 under different FEXT conditions

[Source: Analysys Mason, 2012]¹

¹ The ITU standard G993.2 for VDSL2 specifies eight implementation (configuration) profiles that are subsets of the full suite of VDSL2 capabilities. Each profile targets different deployment scenarios, and provides different levels of upstream and downstream bandwidth. This leads to simplified, optimised system designs. A summary of the profiles is provided in the Annex to this Viewpoint. A more-detailed discussion of accelerated DSL technologies will be presented in a forthcoming Viewpoint.

Note: Key data/information in this graph is hidden, while in the report is not.

Richard Linton (Consultant) has more than twenty years' experience in the telecoms industry, and has worked as a consultant with Analysys Mason for over eight years. He specialises in technical and commercial work for operators in both the fixed and mobile areas. In the fixed sector, he has worked overseas on many projects for a number of incumbent fixed-line operators. As well as undertaking research assignments, he has contributed to many strategic and operational consulting projects. Richard's main skills include cost modelling, market analysis and technical due diligence. He holds a first class honours degree in Physics and a PhD in Engineering.

Rupert Wood (Principal Analyst) is the lead analyst for Analysys Mason's Fixed Networks research programme. His primary areas of specialisation include next-generation networks, long-term industry strategy and forecasting the dynamics of convergence and substitution across fixed and mobile platforms. Rupert regularly contributes to the international press on a wide range of telecoms subjects and has been quoted by The Times, The Economist, Business Week, Telecommunications Online and Kommersant. Rupert has a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Lecturer before joining Analysys Mason.

Table of Contents

• Executive summary
• Recommendations
• Legacy network architecture and accelerated DSL performance
• Modelling potential superfast and ultra-fast coverage in the BT copper network
• Impact of accelerated DSL on superfast and ultra-fast coverage in other copper networks
• About the authors and Analysys Mason

The impact of accelerated DSL technologies on meeting European Digital Agenda targets published by Analysys Mason in June 29, 2012. This report price starts from US $ 2499.