Algorithmic PON/P2P FTTH Access Network Design for CAPEX Minimization

Due to the emergence of high bandwidth-requiring
services, telecommunication operators (telcos) are called to upgrade
their fixed access network. In order to keep up with the
competition, they must consider different optical access network
solutions with Fiber To The Home (FTTH) as the prevailing one.
It provides an obvious advantage for the end users in terms of
high achievable data rates. On the other hand, the high initial
deployment cost required exists as the heaviest impediment.
The main goal of this paper is to study different approaches
when designing a fiber access network. More concretely, two
different optimizations are alternatively evaluated, fiber and
trenching minimization, over two of the most typical fiber access
architectures, Point-to-Point (P2P) and Passive Optical Network
(PON). These are applied to a real geographical scenario and
the best returned output in terms of minimum trenching and
fiber length is highlighted. Finally, a physical topology that fits
best in one of these architectures will be chosen with regards to
minimum total capital expenditure (CAPEX).