Journey Through the Internet

February 2022, MAPC

Let's start

our journey around the internet

outside a home in Everett, MA

Zooming into this location, we can see a lot of equipment just outside of the home. What is all of this stuff?  

We have several items, each serving a different purpose.

Let's highlight a few.  

Satellite

Cell & 5G

Street light

Power!

Cable & Fiber

Coaxial cable

Phone/ Telecom

Same telephone pole back in 2011.

Significant expansion as we have come to rely on more technology.

Coaxial cable
Devices

Home Computer

Home Router

ISP Network & Equipment

ISP Network Technologies

Fiber: Uses light signals to carry internet data. Limited availability, capable of much higher speeds

Cable: Widely available, slower than fiber, leverages copper coaxial cables.

Coaxial cable

DSL (Digital subscriber line): Older technology, being phased out, leveraged copper phone lines.

Satellite: High availability even in rural areas. Signal reliant on a clear connection made to an orbiting satellite. Currently significantly slower speeds.

internet

Fixed wireless / 5G: Uses towers or on top of buildings that are between the Distribution Point and the customer. High cost to maintain.

Devices

The Internet

Let's look at an example activity's journey through the internet to help us understand the components of the internet

Accessing the Internet Using Cable

Data Center

Fiber (Fast)

Cable (slower)

Cable (slower)

Wifi (slower) or ethernet (more reliable)

Slows down every step

The farther fiber optic cables go, the faster the internet

Xfinity  or Comcast Cable Communications, LLC 

RCN or Residential Communications Network

Technologies Used in Everett, Chelsea, Revere

Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable

Verizon

DSL (Digital subscriber line)

Starry

netBlazr

Hughes Network Systems & ViaSat, Inc. & VSAT Systems

as reported to the  FCC Federal Communications Commission. Form 477 Dec 2021

Providers like Comcast and RCN uses a mix of fiber and cable referred to as hybrid fiber-coaxial.

Fixed wireless technology does provide an alternative option across these communities that does not exist in other areas of the state. With the availability of tall building with clear line of sight and high density (MDUs) buildings, providers including Netblazr and Starry have begun to leverage fixed wireless technology to provide high levels of speed to pockets cross these communities as seen in the map below. 

Cable

While advances continue in leveraging the available infrastructure that is cable copper wiring. Even in lab settings, 10 Gbps is the max

Coaxial cable

Universities and research labs continue to push the limits of fiber. In 2021 the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology NICT in Japan more than doubled the prior fiber speed record.

They achieved the world's first transmission exceeding 1 petabit per second (125,000 Gbps) in a single-core multi-mode optical fiber.

Fiber

Copper wire slows the connection

This physical technology we use to connect has evolved over time.

As investments have been made

Coaxial cable
05-10-2015 - ethernet Created with Sketch.
universal lanjutan 2 jadi

Phone Dial Up  and DSL

Coaxial Cable

Fiberoptics

As the uses for infrastructure evolve...

Coaxial cable
05-10-2015 - ethernet Created with Sketch.
universal lanjutan 2 jadi

Phone Dial Up  and DSL

Coaxial Cable

Fiberoptics

So has the underlaying infrastucure tech.

As investment in infrastructure are made.

https://calcable.org/learn/history-of-cable/

Coaxial cable

As the physical infrastructure grew, so did we see the uses grow over time. As exemplified by Cable:

https://calcable.org/learn/history-of-cable/

Coaxial cable

As the uses for the physical cable infrastructure eveolved.

We can see this change over time with cable.

Legacy of Cable

Image Source:  https://calcable.org/learn/history-of-cable/

today there is more cable than fiber in our communites

Coaxial cable

Because of decades of investment

Because of decades of investment

Because of decades of investment

Because of decades of investment

The farther fiber optic cables go, the faster and more reliable the internet.

 

But...

The Internet

Let's look at an example activity's journey through the internet to help us understand the components of the internet

Devices

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Comcast, RCN, Starry, netBlazr etc.

It's important to remember that the internet is comprised of physical, real-world components.

Let's represent all of the tubes, fiber, cables, and components

The Internet

Let's look at an example activity's journey through the internet to help us understand the components of the internet

Devices

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Comcast, RCN, Starry, netBlazr etc.

Devices

Fiber is the next technology jump

There is a recognized need to upgrade from the current coaxial to the home situation, but it is EXPENSIVE!

ISP have made the switch to fiber bases on business decisions and return on investment, not strickly on need.

ISP including those that were cable companies have upgraded their own lines to fiber while drops” to a home. 

As unprecedented private and federal funding is available to make investments.

It's important to understand what technology will provide us with the most impactful and sustainable investment.

While technologies like satellite and 5G will play a role in reaching residents

5G/Satelite relies on fiber, fiber does not rely on 5G.

it's important to consider that...

5G like fixed wireless, plays important role in reaching residents.

but, important to remeber

5G needs fiber, fiber does not need 5G.

"Broadband" standard set by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Originally established in 1999 the standard has been adjusted in 2010 and 2015.

 In 2015 it set the standard as

25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 (Mbps) upload

What is "Broadband"?

Here are a few video examples to help understand how the internet works.

Interested in learning more?

Thanks

 

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