FTTH vs. FTTB

Fiber to the premises can be categorized according to where the optical fiber ends:FTTH (fiber to the home) is a form of fiber optic communication delivery in which the fiber extends from the central office to the subscriber's living or working space.[6] Once at the subscriber's living or working space, the signal may be conveyed throughout the space using any means, including twisted pair, coaxial cable, wireless, power line communication, or optical fiber.

FTTB (fiber to the building, also called fiber to the basement) is a form of fiber optic communication delivery in which the optical fiber terminates before actually reaching the subscribers living or working space itself, but does extend to the property containing that living or working space. The signal is conveyed the final distance using any non-optical means, including twisted pair, coaxial cable, wireless, or power line communication.[7] By definition, FTTB necessarily applies only to those properties which contain multiple living or working spaces.

An apartment building may provide an example of the distinction between FTTH and FTTB. If a fiber is run to a panel at each subscriber's apartment, this is FTTH. If instead the fiber goes only as far as the apartment building's shared electrical room, then this is FTTB.

September 24, 2011

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