Fiber to the Curb (FTTC) Overview

Fiber to the Curb (FTTC), like Fiber to the Node (FTTN), is a fiber and copper local loop architecture for delivering broadband Internet to subscribers. With FTTN, fiber is installed to copper local loop aggregation points known as Feeder Distribution Interfaces (FDIs), which tend to be up to about 5000 feet from subscribers. In contrast, with FTTC, fiber is installed to a lawn pedestal typically within 500 feet of the 8-12 subscribers it serves. This proximity to subscribers allows for much higher average DSL rates than are possible with FTTN.

FTTC’s higher DSL rates do come at a cost. Especially in overbuilds, an FTTC network is more expensive to deploy than a FTTN network. This is due to the additional fiber and more numerous equipment locations, but both are less expensive than a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network architecture.

With FTTC, a carrier avoids laying fiber to each home, which is the most expensive part of deploying an overbuild FTTH access network. Several homes are served with a single fiber interface installed to what is essentially a small DLC placed on the lawn of a subscriber.  Another cost advantage for FTTC is that it does not require an expensive Optical Network Terminal (ONT) at each home or the ONT batteries required for “lifeline” telephone service .  A subscriber served with FTTC can use an inexpensive DSL modem to get broadband Internet service and regular analog phones for voice.

A typical FTTC network architecture is shown in the drawing above. Electronic pedestals are installed on the lawns of subscribers (usually near the curb, hence the name). Each pedestal serves 8-12 homes with DSL and POTS, is typically network powered, and connects to an upstream aggregator. The FTTC pedestals can connect to an aggregator installed in an OutSide Plant (OSP) cabinet as shown above, or the pedestals can be served directly from the Central Office.

BellSouth extensively deployed Tellabs/AFC/Marconi/Reltec FTTC equipment (FTTC was a real hot potato) before BellSouth became part of  AT&T.  Note that BT also uses the term FTTC to describe its VDSL2 deployments. However, in BT’s usage of the term, FTTC stands for Fiber to the Cabinet, and this is virtually identical to what is called FTTN in the US.

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