ᐅ Experiences with DSL vs. Fiber Optic Internet?

nordanney schrieb:

No necessity: available copper connections can provide sufficient speed (for private use)

It’s not about speed. The current focus is on the energy consumption of the DSLAM and the related equipment, as well as spare parts availability. Speed is secondary. Also, there is no obligation to serve people via copper. At a certain point, you either get fiber optic or the providers will install a 4G/5G router for you.

jrth2151 schrieb:

For all of Germany, yes. But I can well imagine that in the future DSL lines will be phased out regionally once the provider has already covered the same area with fiber optic. Essentially, it’s double costs for hardware and maintenance for the providers.

That is exactly what will happen or is already happening in some places. Especially vectoring is a significant power consumer.

Araknis schrieb:

It’s not about speed.

Not for the users. Actually the only relevant point for the users (besides the contract costs). That’s why hardly anyone uses it. And since no one wants it, expanding it is not worthwhile. It’s a slippery slope.

Araknis schrieb:

Moreover, there is no obligation to provide copper connections. Beyond a certain point, you either have fiber optic

... which won’t happen because installing fiber optic is too expensive due to low demand. The telecom provider with vectoring has effectively damaged fiber optic rollout. For the user.

jrth2151 schrieb:

The ONT, for example, is basically just a simple Ethernet-to-fiber converter (+ GPON).

I'm bringing this up because we're currently trying to better understand the technology, as the information from our network provider is unfortunately contradictory. Is the "ONT" the device that connects directly to the fiber optic cables, or is there something else in between?

Background: we have just had the fiber optic cables installed in our basement. Right now, the cables are simply hanging from the multi-dwelling unit's distribution. We asked if everything was finished and if we just needed to sign the contract, and the initial answer was "yes." Our contract (internet only) states that a "Wi-Fi ONT" will be installed (which I assume means the device performs the ONT functions and also offers Wi-Fi – though we will probably handle Wi-Fi differently). However, the contract confirmation includes a statement like "The Wi-Fi ONT will be installed directly next to your existing fiber outlet," which confused us since we do not have a "fiber outlet"—only fiber cables hanging from the multi-dwelling unit distribution. But if I understand your explanation that the ONT translates copper to fiber, it sounds correct that the ONT is connected to the fiber optic cables (and the wording in the contract confirmation was just unclear). Or am I misunderstanding, and is there usually another device in between?

The fiber optic cable in a speedpipe is brought into the house and terminates at the HÜP (house transfer point). From there, it goes to the GF-TA (fiber optic customer termination). If no specific arrangement is made, the GF-TA is usually installed within a radius of 2–3 m (6.5–10 feet) from the HÜP. If the cable route is properly prepared, the GF-TA can be installed up to 20 m (65 feet) away from the HÜP. Each fiber optic installer usually has their own approach here. This is typically where the fiber optic connection ends. A small number of fiber optic companies specify their own ONT or media converter, although the Federal Network Agency sees it differently. However, no ONT or media converter needs to be connected at the GF-TA if the router has a direct fiber optic connection. Personally, I would use an ONT and then use my own router.