What Is Fiber To The Home (FTTH) Technology?

Different broadband technologies deliver broadband services such as xDSL, FTTH, Cable TV broadband, WiFi, 3G, 4G, and others. We have seen that the current trend of network builders is moving towards deploying FTTH (Fiber to the Home) networks. Fiber to the Home uses fiber optic cable to carry broadband internet connections from a central location straight to households. The optical fibers in an FTTH network are used over the ‘last mile,’ displacing traditional coaxial wires.

Future Market Insights forecasts that the global FTTH market will grow from $9.5 billion (2017) to $37 billion (2027), i.e., a 14.4% CAGR.

What Is FTTH?

Homeowners using the FTTH services are on the receiving end of fast internet and increased bandwidth. What does that mean? If you have an FTTH connection, you can stream the highest-quality content with more simultaneous users or devices connected to the same internet. Not only this but you can also TV services on the same connection.

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? FTTH network, with its virtually unlimited capacity, is being considered ‘future proof’ for all the good reasons. Its expansion will be a significant supporter of next-generation technologies.

Why Is FTTH Better Than Other Broadband Connections?

Here is a comparison table between FTTH networks vs other broadband connections for your quick reference:

Moreover, some other benefits of FTTH over other broadband connections include:

• More effective in long-distance delivery of data;
• Fast internet speeds and unlimited bandwidth capacity at a similar cost;
• Can carry ten (10) times more data than traditional copper wires
• Can transmit information 400 times further than conventional copper cables;
• Resistant to electrical noise, interference, and voltage surges
• Can last for thirty (30) to fifty (50) years.

How Many FTTH Network Connections Are There In India?

Did you know that India has around 2.93 million FTTH connections compared to 350 million in China and that less than 15% of total wireline broadband connections work on FTTH technology?

It is interesting to note that the deployment of FTTH connections has significantly risen in the last decade. In fact, it is predicted that tens of millions more households will soon subscribe to FTTH services. The Telecom Authority of India (TRAI)’s October’20 report released the below numbers concerning FTTH connections in the country over the last few years –

The same report also highlights that in European countries (by the end of 2019), 97% of the households had fixed broadband networks in 35% of homes had FTTH connections.

India is a little far toward becoming an FTTH crazy nation. The TRAI is working towards addressing the factors attributable to the slow growth of FTTH subscribers in India.

Why Is FTTH Not Growing Fast In India?

Some of the potential reasons for the slow growth of FTTH could be:

• Availability is limited to a few cities,
• Higher monthly subscription rates than mobile broadband,
• Capital intensive nature,
• Time-consuming in terms of the roll-out,
• Passive FTTH infrastructure construction.

HFCL and it’s subsidiary HTL Limited invested Rs. 300 crore in the FTTH cable plant for the manufacturing of optical fiber and soon became the largest manufacturer of FTTH cables in India with a capacity of around 6,00,000 p.a.

Which Is The Best FTTH Providers In India?

All of India's top providers offer FTTH networks, including Airtel, Jio, ACT, and BSNL. Let us look at some Indian telecom players providing FTTH services in India:

Airtel FTTH Plans

Below is a list of Airtel Fiber FTTH broadband Plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:

BSNL FTTH Plans

Below is a list of BSNL Bharat Fiber FTTH broadband Plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:

Jio FTTH

Below is a list of Jio FTTH broadband plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:

Asia is becoming the biggest hub for FTTH deployment, with more than 225 million users subscribing to FTTH at the end of 2017.