Broadband access network investment optimization in rural areas

Broadband access network planning strategies with techno-economic calculations are important topics when optimal broadband network deployments are considered. This paper analyzes optimal deployment combination of digital subscriber line (xDSL) and fiber to the home (FTTx) technologies, considering real copper cable lengths. For this reason, optimal placement of remote digital subscriber line multiplexer (rDSLAM) with corresponding combination of FTTx is examined. Furthermore, the article discusses the payback period and net present value of various broadband network deployments, considering the existent copper network. A tree structure network model of a traditional copper access network is introduced. A dynamic programming logic, with recursion as a basis of a tree structure examination and evaluation of optimal network elements placement is used. The tree structure network model considers several real network parameters (e.g., copper cable lengths, user coordinates, node coordinates). The main input for the calculation is a local loop distance between each user and a candidate node for rDSLAM placement. Modeling of copper access networks with a tree structure makes new extensions in planning of broadband access networks. Therefore Broadband Access Network planning Tool (BANeT) was developed by Laboratory for telecommunications, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering.