Multiservice access network upgrading in Europe: a techno-economic analysis

The article presents a techno-economic evaluation of strategies for developing the traditional access network along a cost effective path toward a future-proof multiservice broadband network. A broad range of appropriate network alternatives have been assessed for each of five representative European upgrade cases. The technological options that have been evaluated range from conventional copper-based networks to emerging new technologies such as hybrid fiber coax networks and ATM-based broadband passive optical networks. The techno-economic assessment was carried out by the Eurescom P306 project "Access network evolution and preparation for implementation", using the methodology and tool developed within the RACE 2087/TITAN project. The scenarios studied include gradual provisioning, from 1995 to 2005, of services like POTS, N-ISDN, asymmetric switched broadband, symmetric switched broadband, and broadcast broadband. The demand forecasts for the selected bearer services are extracted from a European Delphi survey, also carried out within TITAN. The quality of the existing infrastructure, the average subscriber capacity demand, and demography are among the key elements likely to affect the economic viability of access network upgrade strategies.