Evolution of fiber-optic transmission to broadband services

Land-based telecommunication networks can be divided into four major categories: long-haul trunks, provided by interexchange carriers; interoffice facilities, provided by local exchange carriers; loop facilities, provided by local exchange carriers; and private networks, provided over rights of way. The author describes optical fiber use in these categories, emphasizing trends to broadband communications. Activities by various standards groups are also described.<
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