Broadband Access for All

– A Brief Technology Guide

02/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
Executive Summary
A historic opportunity awaits the
communication industry in the years
ahead – a chance to connect most
of the world using wireless and wireline
technologies. We envisage that five
billion people will be connected by
2015, the majority “always on” and
enjoying broadband access. Broadband
connections will be available just
Contents about anywhere in the world, across
developed and growth markets. Today’s
02 Executive Summary wireline service already reaches some
one billion households, and mobile
03 1. Always Best-Connected networks connect close to three billion
– The End-User’s Perspective subscribers, with varied capabilities
offering true broadband connectivity.
04 2. Look at Access Networks But it will take more extensive use of
wireless access and new wireline
06 3. Nokia Siemens Networks’ installations with improved performance
Expertise in Wireless and to offer true broadband connectivity
Wireline Access Technologies to five billion customers.
19 4. Choosing Your Wireline delivers far higher data rates
Broadband Strategy than wireless. The wireline user data
rate is some 30 times that of wireless,
22 5. Abbreviations with both evolving in much the same
way. Applications such as IP TV have
a healthy appetite for high data
rates, so great in fact that only wireline
solutions can satisfy it. But wireless
access can deliver most other services,
including small-screen mobile TV.
Incumbent wireline operators
traditionally leverage their legacy
copper installations to offer broadband
services with DSL to consumers.
Growing end-user bandwidth demand
dictates that fiber must be brought
closer to the subscriber. The choices
are fiber to the curb and fiber to the
building, with the next step up being
fiber to the home, or FTTC, FTTB,
and FTTH for short. In any case,
bandwidth-hungry applications like
high-definition TV and corporate
connectivity are sure to prompt
operators to improve and renew
wireline networks.
Wireless technologies, in contrast,
have a huge advantage – they offer
personal broadband access regardless
of the user’s location. That spells total
mobility for nomadic and fully mobile
use cases. What’s more, if a region
lacks wireline infrastructure, wireless
can provide low-cost broadband
coverage at far lower cost than new
wireline installations. Especially in
emerging markets, this makes wireless
broadband access an attractive
alternative for densely populated
urban and sparsely populated rural
areas.
This white paper discusses today’s
wireless and wireline technologies
and how they are likely to evolve.
Wireless technologies will soon
catapult data rates from one Mbps
beyond 100 Mbps and boost efficiency
in data delivery. This paper describes
broadband wireless technologies’
positioning in terms of spectrum
assets, and introduces current and
coming wireline technologies. And it
explains how to extend the capabilities
of copper-based DSL access and
how to deploy optical networks to
boost user data rates beyond one
Gbps.
03/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
1. Always Best-Connected
– The End-User’s
Perspective
Wireline voice communication began
changing the world in the early 20th
century, with wireless following suit
in the century’s closing decade. A
concurrent revolution, the Internet,
continues to refashion the working
methods and lifestyles of a growing
share of the world’s population.
Now for the first time in history the
arrival of broadband access
technologies in wireline and wireless
networks promises seamless, all-over
access to unlimited information and
entertainment to consumers and
business users. Users combine these
technologies to stay connected at
work, at play, everywhere, all the time.
Always connected has become the
mantra for many.
The user’s view of factors affecting broadband access
Considerations
...which service...
...at home...
...at the office...
...on the move...
...with which
user experience
(performance)...
...at which price...
Technologies and services have grown
exceedingly complex, posing even
more questions for end-users as well
as for providers and operators. A myriad
of services and gadgets confront the
end-user. Which service can I use on
which device? Do I need yet another
account and password? Where and
when can I use it? At home, on the
move, abroad? And finally, how much
does it cost?
From end-users’ perspective, the use
case is an intricate issue compelling
them to weigh many considerations
– what, when, where, how, and how
much:
Options Wishes
Voice, data, entertainment services; Freedom of choice,
Delivery: Machine-to-user, peer-to-peer; Flexibility
Type: Personalized, off-the-shelf;
bundles, triple/quadruple play
Devices: Mobile phone, POTS/ISDN phone, Full range of services
laptop/desktop, cameras, TV set, and the like available on best-suited
devices with fewest
subscriptions
Mobile phone, desktop phone, High reliability, security,
laptop/desktop PC, and performance of basic
corporate IT connectivity IT tools
Using personal devices Seamless access to key
(such as phone, PDA, notebook); services with fewest
At hotspots, in cars, trains, aircraft, walking, devices
remote location, indoor and outdoor environments
Data rate, delay, user friendliness, reliability, security Speed, ease of use
Base price, minute prices, bundle packages, Inexpensive, transparent
flat rate, price transparency and controllable pricing
04/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
The ideal solution is an environment
enabling the end-user to enjoy always
best-connected service with minimum,
easy-to-use equipment.
Though the demand for services
hinges on the given market, there
are three major classes. First is voice
communication, the traditional revenue
source. Second come data services
such as high-speed Internet access.
Finally, mature markets are seeing
growing demand for applications and
entertainment services delivered
across the net, for instance, video on
demand and time-shifting-enabled,
interactive TV.
As services grow richer and more
varied, bandwidth consumption and
user expectations for quality rise
accordingly. Broadcasts over multiple
high-definition TV channels, high-
quality video delivery, and video
communication are just a few cases
in point. New entertainment services
like virtual-world gaming, where
players assume a virtual persona
in the reality represented in the
games, are in the pipeline. And
business subscribers need VPNs
with differentiated service level
agreements, video conferencing,
and backup to the company’s server.
Besides, users want to go mobile
with all the services delivered today
over their wireline connection.
Aiming to stay always connected,
they want access to diversified content
wherever they go. And though
expectations for bandwidth and quality
are on the rise, revenue per user is
on the decline. Subscribers are
unwilling to pay more for higher
bandwidth and higher quality services,
but operators must invest in new
networks to prevent churn. This is
a balancing act. Operators must
minimize operational costs and
choose the right technologies to
build converged networks that provide
the bandwidth pipes and mobility to
deliver content and applications. The
key to striking this balance is the
interface between the subscriber and
core network – the access network.
2. Look at
Access Networks
Access networks connect end-user’s subscribers connected to the access
devices to the network core and point, the distance between the
content and application servers. subscriber terminal and the access
They cover the first mile to the point, and the actual transport medium
subscriber and the second mile, and its transmission frequencies.
where traffic is handled and the First-mile access technologies
various services are aggregated and provision bandwidth and distribute
distributed. services and applications individually
to each subscriber.
The first mile connects the subscriber’s
fixed or mobile terminal to the first The second mile aggregates several
access node, say a DSLAM, base first-mile access nodes and connects
station, or the like, and provides the to the network core, which is called
bandwidth pipe to the subscriber. The backhauling. Several technologies
transport medium for mobile access serve to aggregate access nodes.
is the radio interface, better known as In modern networks, most base on
air. For wireline access, it is copper the Ethernet protocol and use fiber
or fiber. Maximum bandwidth per as the transport medium. Legacy
subscriber varies according to several aggregation technologies such as
determinants – the number of ATM and TDM-based SDH and
05/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

multi-service provisioning platforms thus extend wireline access lines to

as well as wireless microwave radio
technologies are also widespread.
Aggregation networks must meet
carrier-grade standards, meaning
that they are highly reliable and avai-
lable, and support different quality of
service classes. They must shuttle
traffic to and from the access node
effectively and cost-efficiently. And
they must support various tariff
schemes such as volume tariffs and
flat rates.
Today the state-of-the-art solution for
the last meters within a building is a
mix of wireline first-mile and wireless
last meters, say, to connect wireline
DSL and wireless terminals and home
devices. Local access point solutions
wireless end-user equipment.
Figure 1 shows the main network
elements – mobile or fixed end-user
terminals, wireless base stations,
wireline first-mile access nodes,
aggregation networks, and the packet
core network. The picture at the top
shows where wireless solutions fit
best; below it is the scenario where
wireline solutions are a better match.
The area between the two shows
end-user service scenarios that may
be served by wireline and wireless
solutions.
The following chapters examine
the various access technologies
in detail.

Wireless Broadband Access Network

Small, personal
user device Packet core
network
A
Internet

B
Operator
B services

C Corporate
First mile Aggregation network
A access node network

Stationary,
shared devices
Wireline Broadband Access Network
A High data rate capacity to the end user

B High capacity and low opex transport Challenges

C Second mile aggregation and scalability

Figure 1: A look at broadband access

06/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
3. Nokia Siemens Networks’
Expertise in Wireless and Wireline
Access Technologies
Nokia Siemens Networks offers a
complete and comprehensive portfolio
for wireline and wireless access geared
to satisfy the diverse end-user and
market demands. The following section
describes these requirements.
3.1 Wireless Technology Portfolio
Licensed spectrum is the mobile
operator’s valuable asset – the lower
the frequency band (cell size) and
the larger the band (cell capacity),
the higher its value. Paired spectrum
served by Frequency Division Duplex
(FDD) technology makes up the lion’s
share of licensed spectrum today.
Time Division Duplex transmission
(TDD) serves the 2.5 GHz and 3.5
GHz range, where the uplink and
downlink share the same spectrum.
Making the most of available spectrum
requires radio technologies for FDD
and TDD bands.
Mobile operators with UMTS and/or
GSM bands need a broadband
technology for the FDD spectrum.
In Nokia Siemens Networks’ view,
the primary global solution is HSPA
and its evolution to LTE, and Mobile
WiMAX 802.16e is destined to become
the TDD technology for 2.5 GHz and
3.5 GHz bands.
A wireless solution’s coverage area
is significant because it determines
the number of base stations, the
investment they entail, and the quality
of indoor coverage. Figure 2 shows
base station coverage area as a
function of deployment frequency in
a suburban application. The chart
features two cases – outdoor only,
and with 15 dB indoor penetration
loss. Note that it takes nearly four
times as many sites to deploy at two
GHz than at one GHz, and ten times
as many for 3.5 GHz. With capital
expenditure in mind, deploying radio
technologies at low frequency bands
is preferable. On the downside, lower
frequencies have less bandwidth
capacity. So, the best deployment
strategy combines low band for greater
coverage and high band for greater
capacity. Fixed outdoor antennas at
the subscriber’s end can increase
network coverage considerably.
BTS coverage area
[km2]
40
35
30
Larger cell at lower Larger cell if only
25 frequency outdoor coverage
20
15
10
5
0
1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 [GHz]
Outdoor only coverage
Indoor coverage with 15 dB penetration
Figure 2: Base station coverage area as a function of deployment frequency
Note: The actual coverage area also depends on the environment and bit rate requirements
07/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

3.1.1 3GPP Broadband Access

(HSPA, I-HSPA, LTE, EDGE) 3GPP R5 3GPP R6 3GPP R7 3GPP R8
The High-Speed Downlink Packet
Access (HSDPA) air interface enables HSDPA HSUPA HSDPA Further HSPA
true broadband access with more than 14.4 Mbps 5.76 Mbps 28.8 Mbps and evolution up to
one Mbps per subscriber and one HSUPA 43 Mbps
Gbyte per subscriber per month. Most 11.5 Mbps
of the over 150 commercial UMTS IP transport Multimedia I-HSPA flat LTE scalable
networks have been upgraded to broadcast architecture bandwidth
support HSDPA with peak data multicast (MBMS) 1.4 - 20 MHz
rates of 3.6 to 7.2 Mbps. The uplink EDGE evolution Long term
counterpart providing peak data up to 1.4 Mbps evolution (LTE):
rates up to 2.0 Mbps, High-Speed New radio with
Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), is peak rate of
destined for rollout within 2007. 173 Mbps
HSDPA data use has already topped Most feature-
voice traffic in some instances, rich 3GPP release
signaling that customers value since R99
ubiquitous broadband data. Nokia
Siemens Networks offers full HSDPA
14.4 Mbps downlink capability and
full HSUPA 5.76 Mbps uplink capability.
Figure 3: The development of 3GPP wireless broadband technologies
HSPA networks up and running
today feature 3GPP Release 5
HSDPA and Release 6 HSUPA. Specified as part of 3GPP Release 8,
Figure 3 tracks the further evolution LTE will extend radio capabilities
of the 3GPP standard. Release 7 even further. With a peak downlink
HSPA Evolution leverages major data rate up to 173 Mbps and less
radio improvements to reduce setup than 10 ms latency, it will deliver the
time, boost data rates, and deliver best wide-area radio performance
better performance to the user. It for the decade ahead. With its high
also improves spectral efficiency and data rates, low latency, high capacity,
mobile power consumption. These and large-area coverage, LTE will
enhancements are collectively called allow operators to use spectrum
HSPA+. Applying MIMO, release 7 flexibly with various bandwidths and
boosts the peak data rate to 28.8 frequency variants, and terminals’
Mbps. By additional application of power to be managed efficiently.
64QAM, release 8 provides for an 3GPP intends to complete the first
upward potential to 43.2 Mbps, while set of specifications in the first half
reducing latency to less than 30 ms. of 2008.
3GPP Release 7 solutions are
another step forward in bringing These peak data rates are available
HSPA capabilities up to the objectives in parts of large macro cells’ coverage
of 3GPP’s Long Term Evolution (LTE), area. Cell interference and network
paving a smooth evolutionary path planning impacts the actual average
towards LTE end-user performance. cell capacity. Broadband technologies’
3GPP wrapped up the work on spectral efficiency typically amounts
Release 7 in the first half 2007. Nokia to one to two bps per Hz per sector.
Siemens Networks is committed to If an operator has 20 MHz allocated
bringing the benefits of Release 7 to for the downlink, average downlink
HSPA networks with a remarkably throughput comes to 20 to 40 Mbps
cost-efficient software upgrade. per sector. Beam-forming solutions
and small cell deployments can
improve wireless technologies’
spectral efficiency.
08/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
Although new high bit-rate
technologies are driving data traffic
in mobile networks, operators must
cut data delivery costs to offer
competitive flat-rate charging. New
broadband HSPA, WiMAX, and LTE
radio technologies slash the high
cost of data delivery associated with
earlier radio networks. Leveraging
streamlined network elements in
radio and core networks, their high
radio performance, effective transport,
and flat network architecture up
efficiency. And that makes operators
more competitive. 3GPP Release 7
HSPA architecture, I-HSPA, uses the
same flat architecture as LTE and
WiMAX. This cuts the cost of building
network capacity today and paves
the most future-proof path to
tomorrow’s LTE for HSPA operators.
This flat architecture is compatible
with legacy Release 5 HSDPA
terminals.
EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for
GSM Evolution) delivers real-world
data rates ranging from 120 to 160
kbps, covering large areas and
providing extensive terminal support.
With 718 GSM networks up and
running in more than 200 countries
worldwide (GSA April 2007), GSM
technology is on firm footing, providing
the underpinning for the EDGE data
solution. EDGE features in 258
networks in 136 countries (GSA
January 2007). It can extend HSPA/
WiMAX networks’ coverage to
encompass areas where HSPA/
WiMAX has yet to be built. EDGE
is also an enabler for an extensive
global roaming network.
3GPP Release 7 encompasses
EDGE Evolution, which pushes
the peak data rate up to 1.4 Mbps.
Legacy EDGE networks operating
in GSM frequency bands may be
upgraded with these “evolutionary”
features. EDGE Evolution plays an
important role in complementing
HSPA networks and boosting global
wireless data capabilities. Nokia
Siemens Networks is committed
to bringing the benefits of EDGE
Evolution to operators running EDGE-
enabled networks, leveraging
software upgrades to add its new
features to existing GSM BSS.
3.1.2 IEEE802.16 WiMAX
Broadband Access
Fixed WiMAX 802.16d is certified
and commercial products are available
from Nokia Siemens Networks today.
It offers an alternative to wireline
ADSL for areas in which ADSL is
unavailable and carriers are unable
to deliver wireline broadband cost-
efficiently. WiMAX 802.16d provides
Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)
support for the 3.5 GHz band.
Mobile WiMAX 802.16e is looking to
be the best-positioned Time Division
Duplex (TDD) technology for fixed,
nomadic, and mobile access aimed
for the 2.3, 2.5, and 3.5 GHz bands.
WiMAX carrier bandwidth ranges
from five to ten MHz, and may later
be extended to 20 MHz. Mobile
WiMAX offers 40 Mbps peak bit
rate with ten MHz bandwidth, and
up to 80 Mbps with 20 MHz.
A standardized broadband access
technology, it is backed by many
network and terminal vendors,
creating a global ecosystem and
a future-proof way of offering mobile
broadband. Driven by economics of
scale and interoperability between
vendors, the WiMAX market is also
evolving from fixed WiMAX 802.16d
to mobile WiMAX 802.16e for fixed
applications. Nokia Siemens Networks
offers certified WiMAX 802.16e
products.
09/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
3.1.3 Other Radio Technologies
from Nokia Siemens Networks
Many other radio technologies beyond
3GPP HSPA/LTE and WiMAX in
Nokia Siemens Networks’ portfolio
cater to specific customer needs.
Defined in 3GPP Release 4,
TD-SCDMA radio technology bases
on TDD technology and targets the
Chinese market. It is also known
as low chip-rate or narrowband
TDD mode.
An FDD technology for operators
with access to the 450 MHz spectrum,
FLASH-OFDM employs large cells
to deliver mobile broadband services
nationwide at low capital expenditure.
In commercial use today, it is an
attractive alternative for deploying
broadband services on narrowband
niche spectrum allocations. This
mobile broadband access solution
has also proven its merits as a
backhaul solution for WiFi hotspots
in buses and high-speed trains.
WiFi ships as a standard appointment
on new notebooks, and the range of
mobile terminals and PDAs equipped
with WiFi is growing. Today’s WiFi
devices base on the 802.11b and
.11g standards, and are expected to
evolve to 802.11n, bringing peak
data rates to 200 Mbps and beyond.
Often used indoors, WiFi may also
be deployed in public metropolitan
areas in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz
and 5.4 GHz spectrum. Seeing the
widest use in North America, Metro
Wifi has proven its merits in providing
outdoor coverage in urban areas.
Some issues concerning indoor
coverage and transport costs have
yet to be resolved. Meshed WiFi
entails connecting clusters of access
points to a backhaul network for fewer
interconnections and significantly
lower transport costs. WiFi uses
unlicensed spectrum, so interference
from other local equipment in the
same spectrum may affect actual
WiFi performance.
3.1.4 Cdma2000 Data Evolution
Currently just over 10 percent,
cdma2000’s share of the global
mobile subscriber market has been
ebbing since 2004. To enjoy the
benefits of a large, open ecosystem
and economies of scale for low-cost
mobile devices, many major cdma
operators are turning to GSM/WCDMA
for future voice services. Theoretically
providing peak rates up to 3.1 Mbps
on dedicated data carriers, the cdma
data solutions EV-DO Rev.0 and Rev.A
have been deployed commercially.
For future data services, many cdma
operators are looking at HSPA or
WiMAX for the short term and 3GPP
LTE for the long term.
10/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
3.1.5 Mobile Terminals – What It
Takes for Technology to Succeed
End-users buy attractive packages
of services and terminals, not radio
systems. So a radio system’s success
hinges on the availability of a large
selection of low-cost terminals.
Nokia Siemens Networks provides
end-to-end wireless solutions
encompassing a wide range of
Nokia devices. Terminals, above
all, drive the success of GSM
technology for the voice market.
With HSPA capability destined to
soon become a standard feature
on all 3G terminals, widespread
availability of HSPA terminals is
expected to drive data use. More
than 300 HSDPA-enabled devices,
ranging from embedded HSDPA
chips in laptops to multimedia
computers and mobile terminals,
have already been launched.
WiMAX terminals will be available
2008. Nokia is committed to making
WiMAX-enabled multimedia computers
and tablets available.
While mobile terminals outnumber
notebooks tenfold, the latter can
easily generate ten times the former’s
packet data traffic. This means
integrated radio technologies’
availability in notebooks will have a
major impact on data volume and
network size. Integrated HSPA-
based notebook radio solutions are
widespread today, and integrated
solutions based on WiMAX will soon
become available. Notebooks and
Internet tablets’ larger form factor
may make them more suitable
terminal platforms than traditional
mobile phones for deploying
advanced antenna systems such as
MIMO, designed for HSPA Evolution,
WiMAX, and LTE.
3.1.6 The Backhauling Challenge
in Wireless Technology
Base station transport traditionally
used TDM (E1, T1) lines, each
providing 1.5 to 2.0 Mbps capacity.
Though acceptable for voice and
low data rate applications, E1
capacity is inadequate for higher
wireless data rates. Figure 4 shows
the peak data rates of selected
wireline and wireless technologies.
On the left are downstream peak
data rates; on the right, upstream
peak rates. HSPA and WiMAX
networks can use DSL technology
for backhauling. And DSL-based
transport solutions can provide higher
data rates. They are also a far less
costly means of data delivery than
deploying multiple E1 lines. To provide
peak data rates, 160-Mbps Long
Term Evolution (LTE) requires high-
speed broadband access such as
point-to-point Ethernet or passive
optical networks (PON). The wireline
solutions described in Section 3.2
are also used effectively for wireless
access backhauling.
Microwave radio links today account
for more than 50 percent of wireless
access transport solutions. Their
advantage is flexibility and fast roll-
out, coupled with significantly lower
network operating expenditure. Latest-
generation microwave radios also
use bandwidth more efficiently by
taking a hybrid approach to backhauling
Ethernet traffic alongside TDM (E1, T1)
and multiplexing non-real-time packet-
based traffic statistically. New
technologies enable microwave
links to extend transport capacity to
180 Mbps in 28 MHz RF bandwidth,
which means operators can host a
growing volume of data with the same
RF spectrum license. Microwave
remains the only alternative where
geographical and economic
constraints preclude the use of
wireline transmission media.
11/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

Peak Downstream / Downlink Upstream / Uplink

data rate

10 G
Ethernet Ethernet

GPON GPON
1G

VDSL2 with VDSL2 with

100 M DSM L3
LTE
DSM L3
VDSL2 VDSL2
WiMAX LTE
ADSL2+ WiMAX
10 M HSPA
ADSL
SHDSL.bis HSPA
SHDSL.bis ADSL2+
1M E1
E1 EDGE
evolution ADSL EDGE evolution
EDGE EDGE
0.1 M

Very high data rate solutions beyond 100 Mbps

High data rate solutions beyond 10 Mbps

Voice and low data rate solutions

Figure 4: The development of wireline and wireless data rates

3.2 Wireline Technology Portfolio Figure 5 outlines a wireline access

Wireline broadband access’ great
advantage is its ability to concurrently
deliver highest data rates to many
subscribers. It paves the way for
several new services such as IPTV
and high-definition TV (HDTV). The
broadband packet network allows
business customers to enjoy virtual
private networks (VPNs) as well as
peer-to-peer file sharing.
Operators can reuse copper phone
lines to easily offer high-bandwidth
broadband access and enrich their
service offerings without investing in
new transmission media. However,
although engineers are making
great progress in extending DSL’s
per-subscriber reach and bandwidth,
they will eventually arrive at copper’s
physical limits. Fiber can cope with
constantly growing bandwidth
demand, and FTTB and FTTH are
sure to become the architectures of
choice for future broadband access
networks.
network. Various first-mile technologies
are available - digital subscriber
lines, passive optical networks,
point-to-point Ethernet, and multi-
service access nodes that combine
these technologies with classic voice
service. Aggregation comes courtesy
of Carrier Ethernet switches that
connect many first-mile access
nodes with backbone networks such
as IP/MPLS networks, the PSTN, or
radio network control.
Though not covered in this white
paper, other technologies such
as SDH-based multi-service
provisioning platforms, wavelength
division multiplexing, and microwave
radio are also options for metro
aggregation.
12/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

The following subsections summarize Voice over IP demanding 120 kbps

the technologies available for wireline can run in parallel on the ADSL
access over copper and fiber. link. ADSL lines span distances up
to five km, enabling deployment
3.2.1 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) from a central office. Copper loops
Although well known as the classic in the downtown areas of many
broadband access technology and countries’ cities are some two km
delivered alongside phone service long, which translates to 16 Mbps.
on twisted pairs of copper wire, DSL Continuing standardization efforts
actually entails many technologies in ITU-T aim to further improve
distinguished by data rates, reach, immunity against impulse noise.
and application. A summary of the Nokia Siemens Networks’ DSLAMs
most significant follows. offer ADSL line cards featuring
ADSL2plus, ADSL2 and ADSL.
• ADSL/ADSL2/ADSL2plus
(Asymmetric DSL, ITU-T
G.992.1/3/5). The ADSL family is
the most commonly deployed DSL
technology, with up to 20 Mbps
downstream capacity and peak
upstream capacity of one to three
Mbps. The downstream-to-upstream
performance ratio of 10:1 is perfect
for IPTV services with high
downstream data rates and high-
speed Internet browsing.

xDSL DSL modem

BTS / Node B RNC/BSC

Mobile network control
Mobile access
DSLAM

Broadcast TV
PON
Middle-
SFU Video on demand ware
Media content provisioning
OLT
MDU BRAS
High-speed Splitter
Internet IP Edge
Ethernet
Access
switch IP/MPLS
Backbone

IPTV, VoD Ethernet NT Aggregation L2 CET

switches Backbone
POTS/ISDN

Voice
gateway Softswitch
POTS/ISDN PSTN
MSAN

End user First mile access Metro aggregation Edge / Core

customer premises

Figure 5: A schematic view of the wireline access network

13/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

• SHDSL/SHDSL.bis (Single-pair
High-Speed DSL, ITU-T G.991.2).
Data rate
SHDSL’s upstream and downstream [Mbps]
capacities are equal. Its peak
capacity is 2.3 Mbps at up to 200
VDSL2 with
five km loop length, which may DSM L3 • VDSL2 with DSM L3 is expected to double legacy
be multiplied by using regenerators. 100 VDSL2 data rates and thus to increase reach
High data rate
Enhancing the SHDSL standard, • VDSL2 offers the largest bandwidths at shortest
SHDSL.bis offers up to 5.7 Mbps loop lengths in both asymmetrical and symmetrical
modes of operation
downstream and upstream. 60
VDSL2
Bonding several lines can multiply • ADSL2plus offers high downstream bit rate up to 3 km
these rates to N x 5.7 Mbps. – after that, it behaves the same as ADSL2

Nokia Siemens Networks’ DSLAMs • ADSL2 can operate at up to 5 km depending on

cover both SHDSL and SHDSL.bis. 20 ADSL2plus
loop conditions and noise interference

With upstream and downstream • SHDSL.bis offers symmetrical services at long

performance being equal, SHDSL/ distances from the central office
SHDSL.bis is best suited for 8
ADSL2

business applications (peer-to-

peer file sharing) and mobile
backhauling. 2 SHDSL.bis
Long loop

• Achieving up to 100 Mbps in either 1 km 2 km 3 km 4 km 5 km Line length

direction, VDSL2 (Very high-speed
DSL, ITU-T G.993.2) is the solution
for today’s bandwidth-hungry Figure 6: The downstream data rates of various DSL technologies
applications. Encompassing multiple
high-definition TV channels, high-
speed Internet access, and VoIP, Although the VDSL2 standard was
it enables a true triple play approved in 2005, major efforts
experience. On the downside, it are still underway to further develop
takes copper lines shorter than the technology. They aim mainly to
500 meters, which is less than improve VDSL2’s immunity
the average loop length in most of against interference and mitigate
the world, to achieve data rates crosstalk to boost data rates. The
higher than 50 Mbps. This means latter effort is referred to as
VDSL2 DSLAMs must be brought Dynamic Spectrum Management
closer to subscribers with FTTC Level 3 (DSM L3). Engineers
architecture. FTTB, where VDSL2 expect to double the data rate and
runs over legacy in-house cabling, significantly extend VDSL2’s
can further boost VDSL2 bandwidth reach.
up to 100 Mbps symmetrical.
This ability to deliver very high, Figure 6 shows how data rates
symmetrical bandwidth to depend on loop length.
subscribers is the enabler for true
triple play services, peer-to-peer
applications such as video sharing,
and community services. And it
harbors the greatest revenue
potential.
14/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

DSL is the technology of choice 3.2.2 Optical Access

for operators who are able to reuse
telephone wiring. ADSL/VDSL uses
the spectrum above POTS/ISDN,
leaving phone service intact.
Alternatively, ADSL/VDSL may
be operated without underlying
POTS/ISDN by unbundling services.
Competitive local exchange carriers
can then tap new business
opportunities by offering voice
as VoIP across DSL.
Using fiber in place of copper boosts
data rates and extends reach many
times over. Fiber may be deployed
in point-to-point connections from a
central access switch or an optical
line termination to the subscriber’s
premises or to a subtended DSLAM.
Also, several subscribers may share
fiber in passive optical networks.
Figure 7 shows these options, and
the following sections outline them.

Nokia Siemens Networks offers an

extensive line of DSLAMs featuring
a full range of DSL and Ethernet
subscriber interfaces. Deeply
committed to driving the development
of tomorrow’s VDSL2 technology,
Nokia Siemens Networks leverages
best-in-class performance and features
ensuring outstanding quality of service
to provide the best alternative available
today for broadband access over
copper lines.

Ethernet Single family Multi dwelling

network optical network optical network
termination termination termination

Passive
optical
splitters

Optical line
termination

Subtended
DSLAM
Multi dwelling optical network terminations

Figure 7: Optical access solutions

15/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

PON technologies

BPON GEPON GPON NG-PON

DS bit rate 622 Mbps 1.2 Gbps 2.5 Gbps 10 Gbps
US bit rate 155 Mbps 1.2 Gbps 1.2 Gbps 2.5 Gbps
Splitting factor 32 Min 16 Max 64 Max 512
Payload ATM cells Ethernet ATM / Ethernet / TDM ATM / Ethernet / TDM
3rd wavelength for Standardized Non-standardized Standardized Standardized
cable TV overlay

3.2.2.1 Passive Optical Networks PONs comprise optical line terminals

(PON)
Passive optical networks exploit fiber’s
ability to deliver highest data rates to
subscribers. What makes PONs so
attractive is that they use passive
optical components that may be
buried in cable ducts and need no
dedicated power supplies. PON
systems allow operators to share
a single fiber access line among a
cluster of buildings, using passive
splitters to distribute traffic to individual
homes as shown on the right of
Figure 7. Able to cover up to 20 km
between a central office and
subscribers, today’s PONs outreach
DSL many times over, at the cost of
investing in fiber architecture.
(OLT) deployed at the central office
and optical network terminals (ONT)
at the customer premises.
Designed for residential and business
applications, ONTs offer a wide range
of subscriber interfaces.
PON systems vary in performance
and supported bearer protocols
(ATM, Ethernet, and TDM). Table 2
summarizes the various flavors
of PON technology.
16/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

Based on ATM transmission and • NG-PON (Next Generation PON)

widely used in North America, is a GPON enhancement. Nokia
BPON (Broadband PON) supports Siemens Networks is currently
622 Mbps downstream and exploring its merits. NG-PON
155 Mbps upstream. spans 100 km between the OLT
and up to 512 ONTs, which means
• The First Mile project (IEEE 802.3 far fewer central offices and far
(2005) specifies GEPON (Gigabit less costs for carriers. With 10 Gbps
Ethernet PON) as a technology for downstream and 2.5 Gbps upstream,
delivering Ethernet connectivity to it is able to serve many more
the home. It transmits variable- subscribers, and deliver higher
length Ethernet frames to do this, rates to each subscriber.
and it is remarkably cost-effective
because it uses widespread With GPON and GEPON, Nokia
Ethernet technology. Siemens Networks today offers
• A new solution on the optical future-proof, high-bandwidth access
access market, GPON (Gigabit- solutions. GEPON capitalizes on
capable PON) offers bit rates Ethernet technology’s economies
ranging up to unprecedented of scale, and GPON solutions offer
2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.2 Gbps the highest efficiency and greatest
upstream. GPON outperforms flexibility.
existing PON technologies with
the lowest overhead of just seven
percent. With Ethernet (10/100/
1000BASE-T), ADSL2plus/VDSL2,
E1 leased lines, and POTS, it also
offers the greatest flexibility in
service and subscriber interfaces.
Various network termination units
– single family and single business
as well as highly flexible and
scalable multi-dwelling units
– support these services.
17/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
3.2.2.2 Point-to-point Ethernet
Access
Widespread and state-of-the-art,
Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) offers
standardized interfaces, off-the-
shelf components, and high market
penetration, which adds up to cost-
efficient networks. As Figure 7 shows
on the left, point-to-point Ethernet
access may serve as a high-
bandwidth pipe to a single subscriber
or to connect a remote access node
such as a subtended DSLAM.
Nokia Siemens Networks offers
point-to-point Ethernet access from
its optical line terminations, which
also serve passive optical networks.
Operators may choose between line
cards with multiple Gigabit Ethernet
ports for point-to-point fiber access
or those for passive optical networks.
Both options deploy from the same
box, so operators need not install
added equipment, yet still retain total
flexibility. Just one box leaves a
smaller footprint and cuts operating
expenditure.
3.2.3 Multi-Service Access Node
(MSAN)
Carriers are looking to triple play
services and PSTN substitution to
prevail in a fiercely competitive
market. To capitalize on both, they
must be able to flexibly stage
greenfield deployments and extend
legacy access networks. New
subscriber interfaces, reliability,
and QoS are essential for enabling
PSTN functionality in the packet
access network.
A solution featuring a multi-service
access node (MSAN) can rise to all
these challenges. To do this, the
MSAN must comprise an extensive
range of subscriber interfaces such
as DSL, Gigabit Ethernet (GE), legacy
POTS/ISDN, and GPON, and several
10GE network interfaces.
Flexibility also means freedom of
choice – will it be copper or active
or passive fiber at the subscriber’s
end? The answer depends on the
deployment scenario, be it the classic
central office, FTTC, FTTB, or
FTTH. Nokia Siemens Networks’
MSAN supports them all. It scales
to suit demand, supports POTS
interfaces with conversion to H.248
or SIP, and features state-of-the-art
DSL, GE, and GPON interfaces.
A future-proof MSAN solution must
encompass easy migration to an
H.248 or SIP-based NGN, yet support
legacy POTS/ISDN interfaces to
subscribers. This enables carriers to
transition networks to NGN without
disrupting service to POTS/ISDN
phone customers.
A comprehensive MSAN solution
such as this helps keep customers,
provide new services, win new
customers, drive revenue, migrate
the network to NGN, and transition
it to IP/Ethernet. What’s more, PSTN
substitution can slash operational cost.
3.2.4 TV Cable
TV cable technology plays a prominent
role in the North American market.
Cable operators in some European
countries have begun seriously
competing with incumbent carriers
by delivering triple play services
across cable with native TV built
in. On the downside, up to 2,000
subscribers share the cable in a
neighborhood. This entails lower
data rates for each subscriber and
a potential security risk because of
weak encryption.
18/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

3.2.5 Metro Aggregation (Layer 2-MPLS technology), and

A few IP routers at the edge of the
backbone network can serve many
access nodes and cover a large
geographic area. While connecting
edge routers and access nodes is
easily done with an Ethernet
aggregation network, ensuring
QoS is not quite so easy.
Many technologies can serve to
set up dedicated tunnels in an
Ethernet network, which is intrinsically
connectionless. These include virtual
LANs (VLANs, Carrier Ethernet
technology), added labels to frames
VLANs with MAC addresses (PBB-
TE technology, with standardization
commencing in IEEE 802.1). QoS
parameters such as bandwidth,
delay, and the like may be assigned
to traffic in these tunnels. Nokia
Siemens Networks supports VLANs,
Layer 2-MPLS, and PBB-TE on
demand.
Figure 8 shows applications for
tunnels running through the packet
switched Ethernet network. VLANs,
Layer 2-MPLS, and PBB-TE serve
to build these tunnels.

Residential PSTN

VLANs Tunnel
TV/Video Server
VoIP
IPTV Tunnel Tunnel
WWW
Tunnel
Business
WWW

VoIP
Tunnel
WWW

VLAN#1
VLAN#2 Tunnel

VLAN#N

Business Business
Packet
Network VLAN#1
VLAN#1
VLAN#2 Tunnel Tunnel VLAN#2

VLAN#N VLAN#N

Mobile Backhaul Mobile Backhaul

VLANs
Node B
User User
RNC
Control Tunnel Tunnel Control
O&M O&M

Figure 8: Aggregation network tunnels for QoS assurance

Network nodes must be tremendously To achieve both ends, Nokia Siemens

flexible and scalable to meet the Networks develops customer-
demands of applications such as specific traffic engineering solutions
wholesale business environments. for its feature-rich product families.
19/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
3.3 Broadband Access and Fixed
Mobile Convergence (FMC)
Broadband user access provides
the underpinning for delivering all
manner of user services regardless
of the means of access. VoIP is a
typical example of a broadband
access-enabled user service. Fixed
broadband access’ availability has
prompted a major shift in the way
voice services are provided.
From a network perspective,
broadband access is the key enabler
for the transition from vertical to
horizontal networks. Traditional
networks were vertical in the sense
that carriers deployed dedicated
combinations of access, aggregation,
and core networks for voice and
data as well as for mobile and fixed
networks.
Broadband-enabled networks use
IP bit pipes with enough bandwidth
to deliver all kinds of services to the
end-user. Now metro aggregation
and backbone networks are migrating
towards pure packet networks, and
service control core networks towards
unified IP service control. The service
control and application layers are
access-independent. A horizontal
layered network is emerging. The
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)
enables unified IP service control,
as well as fixed-mobile convergence
(FMC) towards next-generation
converged networks.
From an end-user perspective,
convergence centers on user
devices and services – that is, any
service on any device, in a way
best fitting the device’s capabilities.
WLAN-enabled mobile phones can
be used for VoIP over WLAN with
UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access)
and Voice Call Continuity (VCC)
based on IMS. Desktop computers
and notebooks have been the primary
broadband access devices in
homes, but with adequate indoor
coverage available, wireless personal
broadband devices will see increasing
use. Femto home base stations also
take advantage of the benefits of
home wireline connections and the
wide availability of 3G radio in mobile
terminals. All promise to bring high
data rates to end-users’ 3G terminals
at home – without burdening the
outdoor 3G network.
4. Choosing Your
Broadband
Strategy
Economic conditions differ markedly This would foster investments in
across the globe, so one must access, aggregation, and transport
examine individual markets to fully networks, which boosts bandwidth
understand the telecom industry’s availability and affords customers and
situation worldwide. Regulation consumers better quality at lower
continues to play a key role, as prices. And as network and service
wireless spectrum is a regulated providers operate more efficiently,
asset. Wireline connections to homes their profit margins grow. Beyond
are under regulatory scrutiny because that, more available, more affordable
more than one line entering a building services can bring socio-economic
is rarely feasible. benefits to customers and consumers.
Many emerging markets lack
competition because of regulatory
barriers. In markets where few
providers do business or monopolies
still prevail, services are expensive
for customers and consumers. Often
there is much room for improvement
in bandwidth, quality of service, and
delivery costs. Re-regulation enabling
fair competition is likely to extend the
scope and cut the cost of services
as more players go to market with
various alternative (wireline and
wireless) technologies.
20/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide

The wireline backbone and

international connections in many
emerging markets merit improvement.
A mobile operator may not be able
to lease transmission lines, or there
may be no Internet backbone for an
operator (wireline or wireless) to
4.1 Business Environment and connect to. Although a situation such
Network Operator Models as this may well be an opportunity
Access network operators may be for securing a strong foothold in both
classed in three general categories wireline and wireless domains, it
based on the type of access they may also entail spreading investments
provide – mobile, wireline, and over a very wide range of technology.
hybrid operators. Another distinction
can be made between incumbents 4.2 The Best Technology for You
and new entrants based on their Estimates put the world’s installed
company history and business copper base at one billion households,
situation. Challengers may ponder serving some two billion people.
entering the business of providing That is not enough. Nokia Siemens
access for many. ISPs (Internet Networks envisages five billion users
service providers) may seek to connected to the Internet by 2015. It
leverage their brand and offer a full will take extensive use of wireless
solution including access and services. access as well as new wireline
Broadcasters may also wish to offer installations to reach that number.
communication services. One way
for a challenger to become a network
operator is to start off as a virtual
network operator (VNO) and gradually User data rate
invest in an infrastructure, or disrupt [Mbps]
service and invest heavily in deploying
a new access technology to reach 1,000 NG-PON*
end-users. DSM L3
Wireline VDSL2
GPON*
100 Mbps
By choosing to don the mantle of 100 25-50 Mbps
integrated communications providers, ADSL2plus
16-20 Mbps
operators can create what industry WiMAX* LTE*
HSPA MIMO*
pundits have dubbed quadruple play ADSL
10 6-8 Mbps
services – sticky bundles of wireline ADSL HSDPA*
voice, broadband data, TV services, 1-3 Mbps 3.6-7.2 Mbps
and mobile access. With easy-to-use
services, one-on-one customer 1 HSDPA*
1.8 Mbps
relations, a single bill, and a strong Wireless
lock-in, the benefits are certainly UMTS*
persuasive. 0.1 0.384 Mbps

GPRS* * Bandwidth of shared media (e.g. wireless,

0.075 Mbps PON) are commercial offers per subscribers
0.01
2000 2005 2010
Year of user availability

Figure 9: The development of real-world wireline and wireless user data rates
21/22 Broadband Access for all – A brief technology guide
Again, wireline can offer clearly higher
data rates than wireless solutions.
Figure 9 tracks the bit rate evolution.
The wireline user data rate is some
30 times that of wireless, with both
on a similar evolutionary trajectory.
Wireless data rates have attained a
level enabling satisfying performance
for most services, with the notable
exception of IP TV and its big appetite
for high data rates.
Incumbent wireline operators leverage
legacy copper assets to offer
broadband services with DSL. In
view of constantly growing end-user
bandwidth demand, fiber must be
brought closer to the subscriber.
FTTC and FTTB are the fiber
deployments of choice. The next
step up is FTTH, where fiber runs
right to the subscriber’s home.
Bandwidth-hungry applications like
high-definition TV and corporate
connectivity will drive the demand
for wireline network deployments.
Carriers wishing to provide high-speed
wireline connections beyond 8 Mbps
to suburban and especially rural
areas across copper lines face the
formidable challenge of loop length
constraints. High bit rate offerings’
feasibility hinges on how close the
fiber connection is to the home and
how much it costs to put fiber in the
ground.
Of course, any scenario mandating
mobility or nomadic use entails
wireless technology, but if a region
lacks wireline infrastructure, wireless
can also provide broadband coverage
at far lower cost than new wireline
installations. This makes wireless
broadband access an appealing
option for densely populated urban
and sparsely populated rural areas,
especially in emerging markets. What’s
more, prices for wireless handsets
are eroding fast, and consumer pricing
strategies can be geared to align
demand and available capacity.
Wireless broadband data requires
high-capacity transport to the base
station, which microwave radio is
equipped to provide. Aggregate
connections may demand higher
capacity with fiber connections.
And having fiber connections available
for transport to at least some of the
base station sites will be the true
enabler for mass market wireless
broadband data.
To choose the wireless technology
that suits their purposes best,
operators must analyze assets such
as their wireline network, frequency
licenses, legacy equipment and
sites, the underlying network and
compatibility requirements, and
the services they wish to deliver.
There are a number of different
broadband access technologies
available today. Nokia Siemens
Networks has the widest range of
broadband access solutions in the
industry. Nokia Siemens Networks
can help the operators to select the
best solution for them with respect to
CAPEX, OPEX, roll-out speed and
support for their planned services.
Unique in the market, Nokia Siemens Networks’ comprehensive
solution portfolio and long experience in wireline and wireless
broadband access covers different operator needs on a broad
front. We provide standardized, complementing, and integrated
broadband access network solutions that deliver the necessary
data rates at best cost per bit ratio.
5. Abbreviations
ADSL Asymmetric DSL
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
BRAS Broadband Remote Access Server
BSS Base Station Subsystem
BTS Base Transceiver Station
CAT5/6/7 Category class 5/6/7 of twisted-pair copper cables
for data transfer
CAPEX Capital Expenditure
CATV Cable TV
CET Carrier Ethernet Transport
CLEC Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
CPE Customer Premises Equipment
DSL Digital Subscriber Line
DSLAM Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer
DSM L3 Dynamic Spectrum Management Level 3
EDGE Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
EV-DO Evolution data only (of cdma2000)
FDD Frequency Division Duplex
FMC Fixed Mobile Convergence
FTTB Fiber To The Building
FTTC Fiber To The Curb
FTTH Fiber To The Home
GE Gigabit Ethernet
GSM Global System for Mobile communication
HSDPA High-Speed Downlink Packet Access
HSPA High-Speed Packet Access (= HSDPA + HSUPA)
HSUPA High-Speed Uplink Packet Access
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
I-HSPA Internet HSPA
IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
IMT International Mobile Telephony
IP Internet Protocol
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ITU International Telecommunication Union
LTE Long Term Evolution of UMTS Radio Access
MDU Multi-Dwelling Unit
MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output
MNO Mobile Network Operator
MPLS Multi-Protocol Label Switching
MSAN Multi-Service Access Node
MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator
NGN Next Generation Network
OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
OLT Optical Line Terminal
ONT Optical Network Terminal
OPEX Operating Expenditure
PBB-TE Provider Backbone Bridge with Traffic Engineering
PDA Personal Data Assistant
PON Passive Optical Network (B-, E-, G-, GE-, NG-)
POTS/PSTN Plain Old Telephone Service/Public Switched
Telephone Network
SFU Single Family Unit
SHDSL Single-pair High-Speed DSL
RF Radio Frequency
SIM Subscriber Identity Module
TDD Time Division Duplex
TD-SCDMA Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access
UMA Unlicensed Mobile Access
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
VCC Voice Call Continuity
VDSL Very high-speed DSL
VoIP Voice over IP
WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
WiFi/WLAN Wireless Fidelity/Wireless Local Area Network
WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
Nokia Siemens Networks
P.O. Box 1
FI-02022 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS
Finland

Visiting address:
Karaportti 3, ESPOO, Finland

Switchboard +358 71 400 4000 (Finland)

Switchboard +49 89 5159 01 (Germany)

Order-No. C401-00131-WP-200711-2-EN
The contents of this document are copyright © 2007 Nokia Siemens Networks. All rights reserved.

A license is hereby granted to download and print a copy of this document for personal use only. No other license to any
other intellectual property rights is granted herein. Unless expressly permitted herein, reproduction, transfer, distribution or
storage of part or all of the contents in any form without the prior written permission of Nokia Siemens Networks is prohibited.

The content of this document is provided “AS IS”, without warranties of any kind with regards its accuracy or reliability, and
specifically excluding all implied warranties, for example of merchantability, fitness for purpose, title and non-infringement.
In no event shall Nokia Siemens Networks be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages
whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, arising out of or in connection with the use of the document. Nokia
Siemens Networks reserves the right to revise the document or withdraw it at any time without prior notice.

Nokia Siemens Networks and the Wave-logo are registered trademarks of Nokia Siemens Networks. Nokia Siemens
Networks product names are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Siemens Networks. Other product and
company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com