The ever-increasing array of new telecom services means the demand for faster broadband is growing at a rapid rate. In the fiber to the x (FTTx) race, the need for speed is increasing as fast as its popularity.

Before, deep-fiber broadband access networks seldom had to provide more than fast internet access. Today, however, they must deliver a bundle of telecom services including telephony, TV and video. The demand for faster broadband access networks (50-75Mbps) is higher than ever before.

Along with deep-fiber broadband access comes an alphabet of acronyms. The main deep-fiber broadband access architectures are fiber to the node (FTTN), fiber to the curb (FTTC), fiber to the basement (FTTB), and fiber to the home (FTTH) - which are known collectively as fiber to the x (FTTx).

Gigabit passive optical networks (GPON) and the newest DSL solution (VDSL2) are two new key access technologies and standards that Ericsson has incorporated into its family of EDA broadband access products. Operators may have to use both these technologies to provide a comprehensive and flexible access solution.

Deep-fiber access is not a localized phenomenon; people all over the world are using it, with Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, and the US leading the way. Although the bottom line in building an FTTx network varies from country to country, the main costs are civil works, passive cable plants, active equipment, and planning and project management.

Joe Baker, head of Ericsson's fixed access and transport strategy for North America says: "Traditional incumbents are not the only parties building FTTx networks. In many countries, utilities and municipal operators were the first to build them, often with government support. And not surprisingly, where FTTx networks exist or are being deployed, cable TV operators are quick to respond, sometimes with FTTx initiatives of their own."

Analysts anticipate the growing trend to deploy FTTx to continue due to the demand for IPTV and the growing number of homes with high-definition TV (HDTV), as well as the fact that video services are becoming increasingly personalized and on-demand, and as new forms of user behavior - such as video blogs - grow in popularity.

The addition of GPON and VDSL2 to Ericsson's portfolio enables vendors to deliver new products reliant on deep-fiber access. Major rollouts of these technologies are expected this year as carriers compete to lead the way in the FTTx race.