Telcos invent new way to deliver fast broadband via copper

A new telco industry specification that aims to make it possible for providers to deploy fast copper broadband with technologies such as G.Fast and VDSL2 has been developed by the not-for-profit Broadband Forum.

The organisation, which counts major telco and internet provider equipment suppliers as members, has published the Technical Report 301 specification.

The new approach "provides the architectural basis and technical requirements" to deploy high-speed broadband services without having to extend fibre-optic cabling into customer premises, according to the telcos.

This is achieved through what Broadband Forum says is a "radically new fibre to the distribution point (FTTdp) architecture".

TR-301 describes ways to provide high-speed broadband for businesses and residential users on traditional copper line connections without touching existing building wiring. This includes providing service in multi-user and multi-dwelling facilities.

Visits to customer premises would not be required under TR-301. Instead, customers can self-install the equipment, which greatly reduces the time for service provision.

Broadband Forum said TR-301 defines a new distribution point unit (DPU) node type, a key aspect of which is the ability to reverse-feed power from customer premises using one or more copper pairs.

Presently, power for copper broadband connections is the responsibility of the telco infrastructure provider, supplied through roadside and basement cabinets or phone exchanges.

The ability to use a customer's own electricity will greatly simplify and speed up the deployment of copper broadband connections, the Broadband Forum said.