Page 31 - Optical Switching And Networking Handbook

16 Chapter 1

2. Fiberoptics are needed because coaxial television cables are
capable of carrying more information than copper wire (unshielded
twisted-pair wire). Computer and telephone companies need
something with which to compete with the CATV companies. This
also means that the fiber wires will allow the telephone companies
to offer newer services. A new service being offered to consumers
known as very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) will
bring telephony, TV, Internet access, and high-speed future services
to the door. Yet this will depend on fiber to really achieve the result.
Currently, the telephone companies are using a hybrid fiber and
coaxial (HFC) service to offer VDSL.

3. Currently, all new undersea cables are made of optical fibers.
This is crucial to the economic installation of high-density
transmission systems. The cost of the fiber as opposed to the cost of
copper makes the undersea cable more attractive and readily
available. Look at the cost reductions in getting a trans-Atlantic
circuit since the introduction of fiber. Costs literally dove down to
more affordable communications for corporate connectivity
internationally. TEAMFLY
4. Many believe that 98 percent of copper wire will be replaced by
fiberoptic cable, including at the local loop to the residence. This
belief is one we can all take to the bank. Copper has many
problems in distribution and maintenance. Fiber becomes far more
economical. Logic, therefore, points to the deployment of more fiber
to every facet of communications. Fiberoptic cable installed in place
of copper wire that already requires replacing is less expensive.
Because it only needs repeaters to amplify the signals every six
miles instead of every mile for copper, the cost of installation is
much less.

5. Optical fiber phone lines cannot be bugged or tapped easily. If
one were to attempt to tap into the fiber, the cable would be broken
in the process. This would trip alarms on the link and cause
maintenance and surveillance personnel to take notice. Moreover,
to rejoin the cable is more difficult, eliminating the novice from the
process of tapping into a fiber system. By breaking into the cable,
the light flow is disrupted (Figure 1-9). By splicing the cable
improperly, loss and transmission impairments become highly

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