Copper transmission for multi-gigabit hybrid copper-fiber access networks

A high performance copper-based transmission technology can enable fiber to the building and fiber to the home installations in a cost-effective copper/fiber hybrid network [1]. ITU has started a project for multi-gigabit copper access (MGfast [2]), as a successor of the G.fast [3] technology with the goal to serve symmetric services with 10 Gbit/s aggregated rate for each subscriber. This paper discusses network topologies for the hybrid network and technology options for copper transmission to achieve the target rate and reach. Possible approaches are channel bonding, full duplex transmission and an increase of the used bandwidth from 212 MHz in G.fast to 424 MHz or 848 MHz.