The Dull but Costly side of Next-Gen Access: optical distribution networks

The Dull but Costly side of Next-Gen Access: optical distribution networks published by Ovum, Ltd. in September, 2009. This report consists of 22 pages and the price starts from US $ 2395.

Introduction

Abstract

Service providers (SPs) buy next-generation access (NGA) infrastructure primarily through tenders focused narrowly on specific product areas. Similarly, the big NGA vendors are good at selling boxes but less proficient at partnering with SPs to help deploy and scale NGA networks economically. Consequently, constructing the optical distribution networks (ODNs) that constitute up to (on average) half or more of the per-subscriber cost of NGA rollouts is left to the carriers and a wide range of outside plant, design, and test companies. We see an opportunity for access systems vendors to more actively support carriers' ODN buildouts to the benefit of both parties. Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei, and ZTE are taking some steps in this direction already, in an effort to provide their customers with NGA solutions rather than commoditized hardware.

Table of Contents

• Executive summary
• In a nutshell
• Ovum view
• Key messages
• Optical distribution network market
• Optical distribution networks: also known as “holes, poles, and permits”
• Only a few systems vendors provide full set of fixed NGA solutions across multiple regions
• Construction costs dominate other elements of NGA
• Keeping priorities straight during NGA rollouts
• Regulatory issues related to ODN
• Aesthetics
• Helping SPs roll out NGA networks: vendor business model evolution
• Huawei
• Alcatel-Lucent
• ZTE
• Corning
• Marais

List of Tables

• Table 1: Key suppliers of ODN hardware and accessories

List of Figures

• Figure 1: Fiber to the premises (FTTP) network topology example
• Figure 2: Multiple types of access networks
• Figure 3: Telecom Italia installing fiber along streets of Milan
• Figure 4: Rough costs of per-subscriber installation cost (2007): US vs. China
• Figure 5: Cisco' s allocation of FTTx costs into three buckets
• Figure 6: Priorities in the metro network: one vendor' s view
• Figure 7: NGA directions
• Figure 8: P2MP/P2P passive optical networks
• Figure 9: TT&T copper cross-connect box
• Figure 10: Huawei engineers installing FTTH for Etisalat
• Figure 11: ZTE' s process for planning and budgeting an ODN project
• Figure 12: Application of preconnectorization cable systems in aerial plant

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