FTTN NBN Roll Out Internet Hardware
- What are the specifications for a Fibre To the Node (FTTN) NBN connection to the premises?
- What hardware specifications influence NBN use?
VDSL2 Network Termination Device NTU
Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line 2 (VDSL2)
This is a copper transceiver that is used in the premesis to convert VDSL2 traffic into Ethernet networking services.
Sample VDSL2 NTU Specifications
- Up to 30 MHz signal on copper pairs.
- Up to 100 Mbps in speed for short distances.
- You have to purchase a VDSL2 compatible router. ($100-$200)
- RJ45 Ethernet sockets available for networking.
- Wifi available for wireless devices in premises.
FTTN (Fibre to the Node) Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Less civil works required | Copper pair quality unknown |
| Quicker to deploy | Final speed available is variable |
| Less initial capital costs | 10,000's FTTN cabinets required in suburbs |
| FTTN cabinets all dependant on mains power $$$ | |
| VDSL2 speed falls with distance in 100's of metres | |
| Spare capacity is dependant on available good copper pairs | |
| VDSL2 is at a higher untested frequency compared to ADSL | |
| VDSL2 speed is subject to speed reduction in heavy rain | |
| VDSL2 speed is subject to speed reduction with crosstalk interference | |
| VDSL2 speed standard assume 0.4 mm minimum copper pair cables | |
| Copper pair to premises connectors will reduce Internet speed | |
| Copper pair to premises twisted paths can reduce Internet speed | |
| Copper pair mainenance costs are higher than all fibre | |
| VDSL2 upload speed is not guranteed which limits business uses | |
| VDSL2 can use 2 copper pairs for some more speed if pairs available (not planned) | |
| VDSL2 cannot scale up to 1Gbps like FTTP fibre |