The fourth generation broadband concept

  • Authors:
  • Per Ödling;Thomas Magesacher;Stefan Höst;Per Ola Börjesson;Miguel Berg;Enrique Areizaga

  • Affiliations:
  • Lund University;Lund University;Lund University;Lund University;Ericsson AB;Tecnalia-robotiker

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Communications Magazine
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

Fixed-broadband access technology is evolving from exclusively copper-based solutions to hybrid fiber-copper architectures. This article presents the expected next step in the evolution of broad-band systems, which we call the fourth-generation broadband concept. It identifies a technical, infrastructural, and economical niche and describes how the fiber-access network is extended and forked to feed a last and ultimate generation of DSL systems, shown to have gigabit potential. The underlying infrastructural concept is presented, economic aspects are described and discussed, and achievable data rates are calculated.