Remote line powering deployment considerations

As the broadband revolution continues, both wireline and wireless service providers are building networks to address the never-ending demand for more bandwidth. Wireline providers are deploying FTTH or FTTN, while the wireless community deploys LTE, DAS and, now, Small Cells. These broadband-enabling network builds by major players naturally capture the attention of the media and investment community. But very little attention has been paid to the powering issues. Service providers need to provide reliable power, but do not want the power solution to cost more than the broadband equipment. One power technique that is gaining traction is the use of remote line powering to power the equipment at the edge of the network. Line powering is a means of energizing remote equipment from a centralized location over the outside plant (OSP) telecom twisted pair copper cable. It has been used for decades in telecom networks for various applications, such as the coin return mechanism of payphones, T-1 repeater powering, HDSL remote unit powering, FTTC powering. Nowadays line powering is being considered and used for a myriad of telecommunication applications such as FTTN, FTTP, FTTH, DSLAMs, mini-DSLAMs, DAS and HetNet powering. Remote line powering offers very significant operational and economic advantages for telecommunications operators, and is the best means of ensuring the broadband network resiliency and ability to withstand extended AC outages.