BSNL set to roll out next generation broadband -The Hindu

BSNL set to roll out next generation broadband
S. Anandan

Internet speed of 1,000 mbps achievable on the network

Kochi: Marking a first in the State, telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will roll out next generation broadband services in the city with ‘triple-play' Fibre To The Home (FTTH) network that will transform in a big way voice, video, data and entertainment experiences in the living room of gated communities and corporates.
BSNL's Ernakulam SSA—Secondary Switching Area covering Thripunithura, Kalamassery, Aluva, Angamaly, Perumabavur, Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha and Idukki besides Kochi city— will commercially launch FTTH initially in Kochi in late August or early September. The service will be subsequently extended to other centres under the SSA subject to clientele potential.
FTTH involves deployment of fibre optic cables, in place of the customary telephone copper pair, on customer premises to provide Internet speeds of up to 1,000 mbps (1gbps) on a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), a leapfrogging from the average home broadband speeds currently available.
BSNL has already firmed up contracts with major builders in the city for FTTH connectivity in upmarket mass dwelling units (MDU). “Fibre optic cable at customer premises will be terminated on a modem called Optical Network Terminal (ONT) equipment. The ONT provides two telephone connections and four Ethernet ports which can be used for Internet, Intranet, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and VPN (Virtual Private Network) for home-office solutions,” said a senior BSNL official.
The FTTH network opens up the delivery of a host of applications such as Internet at lightning speeds, high quality video conferencing such as tele-presence, online learning (virtual tutor), video surveillance in security solutions and home automation and entertainment services like IPTV, HDTV, 3DTV, video on demand (VoD), video conferencing, interactive gaming and virtual private network (VPN).
Futuristic network
According to E.M. Abraham, Principal General Manager, BSNL Ernakulam, FTTH is a futuristic multi-play network that is in great demand in developed countries, particularly in planned and well-laid out residential colonies.
Priority basis
FTTH will also benefit the SOHO (Small Office Home Office) segment. However, given the high costs involved in the deployment of this turnkey technology, BSNL would roll out FTTH on a priority basis, N. Hari Babu, General Manager (Operations), BSNL Ernakulam SSA, said.
Given the company's long-term plans of recouping its FTTH investments, it would require a residential complex to have a minimum of 50 dwelling units for providing fibre optic connectivity on a viable basis, Sanjeev Peeka, BSNL's Deputy General Manager (Marketing), said.