How to future-proof your home network with FTTR

The demand for high-speed internet and seamless connectivity is growing and not just limited to industrial and commercial establishments. The speed and connectivity requirements for home networks are also very high, which may be partially attributed to businesses operating from home, increased use of smart devices, work-from-home options, e-learning and other factors. From the past few years, the demand for fiber-optic networks as well as hybrid networks has increased.

This is because copper networks can no longer keep up with the growing demands, which is why traditional networks are often mixed with fiber networks using devices such as media converters, switches, etc. Going a step further is the concept of fiber to the room or FTTR, which shows the evolution of home networks. FTTR makes full use of fiber technology to achieve a powerful home fiber network. This article discusses the concept of FTTR, why scalability is important, the benefits of FTTR in home networks, and more.

What is FTTR?

FTTR is an advanced version of fiber optic technology. It involves laying optical fiber to remote nodes to ensure that the entire home or even a building has access to a strong network. Technically, one optical fiber can be extended to each room without terminating them. This advanced communication technology creates multiple endpoints in a home, building, office, hotel or a given area. There is a distribution point for the entire area (such as a building), which acts as a central control point for all the points in the network, and all the cables converge here. Each point (called a room unit) is connected to this central distribution point through a fiber optic cable. In order to easily identify each point and prevent mixing, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used. WDM supports the transmission of signals through different wavelengths and a single optical cable. Due to the point distribution pattern, this technology can establish and maintain a high-speed seamless connection.

Benefits of implementing FTTR

The following are some of the many advantages that FTTR offers.

Strong connectivity and coverage of the designated area and surrounding areas is just one of the main advantages of this technology. This helps to quickly transfer large audio and video files at speeds of approximately 1Gbps.

The technology is scalable and offers huge bandwidth, making your network future-proof, meaning there is enough bandwidth to add devices, nodes, etc. as part of the expansion.

Low latency is another major advantage of FTTR.

Since FTTR uses fiber optic cables, it avoids EMI and noise related issues. It is safe and reliable and cannot be easily tampered or hacked.

Its connectivity and reliability surpass today's wireless 5G networks, which are typically used for high-frequency applications. However, wireless networks can experience signal loss, fail to penetrate walls or certain corners of a room, and can fail if too many users are involved because there is no concept of different nodes. FTTR overcomes all these challenges and can meet the needs of every user sitting anywhere in a building or a given area.

It is useful for professionals in gaming applications, AR/VR, video conferencing, watching movies and videos, and other types of heavy-duty applications.

The wiring arrangement is relatively simple and safe, and can match the home environment and aesthetics.

Ideal use case: FTTR for smart homes

Compared with traditional Wi-Fi networks in homes and buildings, FTTR provides a better user experience in high-bandwidth applications such as gaming and smart home device connections. With the development of online gaming and smart home markets, the demand for reliable connections in every corner of buildings has surged. This is essential for connecting and facilitating communication between smart devices. As optical fiber extends directly to each room or area, FTTR supports the Internet of Things and smart devices to build an efficient smart home system.

The future of FTTR: The potential impact of FTTR on the future of home networks

Undoubtedly, FTTR has a bright future with the growth of online gaming, smart home market, home business, etc. The global market for FTTR is still in its infancy; however, it is expected to grow rapidly in the next eight to ten years. The FTTH market is valued at $23.42 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $95.88 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.1%. These figures fully illustrate the prospects of FTTR and FTTH.

We can now enjoy watching 4K videos or make sure that our food is ready and heated when we get home after a long day at work. All of this is possible by implementing FTTR to connect smart home and gaming applications. If you choose to expand your network via FTTR, you will need high-quality fiber optic network equipment as well as equipment that is compatible with legacy systems.