An Introduction to Optical Access Networks: Technological Overview and Regulatory Issues for Large-Scale Deployment

With the current continuously growing bandwidth demand, it is apparent that conventional broadband access solutions will quickly become bottlenecks in terms of bandwidth provision. In this chapter, the authors analyze the present global challenge for extended bandwidth provision in the scope of the fast developing electronic communications sector, creating a fully converged environment. In particular, first the authors examine several potential options imposed by distinct technologies, as they are currently applied in the marketplace. Then they present a comprehensive review of the emerging optical access solutions, focusing mainly on passive optical network (PON) technologies that promise to efficiently meet the anticipated growth in bandwidth demand and at the same time be economically viable and future-proof from an operator’s perspective, and evaluate their capabilities to the conventional copper-based broadband solutions. They also survey the current deployment efforts and relevant policies in the European Community area, as well as discuss why Europe is lagging with regard to deployment pace when compared to Asia and the USA. Specific and detailed analysis is given for recent developments performed in the European Union, where we identify current trends, potential hurdles and/or difficulties, as well as perspectives for further growth and development.