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Broadband Strategies Toolkit / 5. Infrastructure Technologies

Infrastructure Technologies

Technical Options for Deploying Broadband Connectivity

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5.1

Introduction

This chapter examines the building blocks for constructing broadband networks. It looks at high-speed connectivity from a hierarchical perspective, moving from international, to national, to metropolitan, and finally to local access deployment solutions. Learn more...

5.2

Overview of Broadband Networks

As policy makers consider plans and strategies for developing broadband networks, it is important to recognize that such networks have many component parts. All of these parts must work together for the network to function effectively and efficiently. Learn more...

5.3

Technologies for Backbone Connectivity

This section examines the key technologies that are being used to construct today’s broadband networks. Although each of these technologies can be used throughout the supply chain, they tend to be used most heavily in the international, domestic backbone, and metropolitan link segments. Learn more...

5.4

International Connectivity

The Internet is an international “network of networks.” In order to provide the physical connections between widely separated broadband resources and consumers, countries must establish international links (gateways) to connect to the world’s Internet and telephone networks. Learn more...

5.5

Domestic Backbone

Backbone networks are a critical component of the broadband supply chain. They consist of very high-speed, very high-capacity links that connect the major nodes of the network—often the major cities of a country. Learn more...

5.6

Metropolitan Connectivity

Beyond network backbones, connectivity is needed to connect smaller towns and villages to the backbone and provide links in and around metropolitan areas. These links are sometimes called the “middle mile. Learn more...

5.7

Local Connectivity

In the broadband supply chain, local access networks are those that directly connect end users to broadband services, the so-called “last mile.” Several wireline and wireless broadband technologies are used today to support local access networks. Learn more...