This presentation demonstrates the potential cost savings of convergence between 5G and FTTH/B. It illustrates the differences between various scenarios and the impact of key factors on the total cost savings of a converged network.

1. What 5G means for the fibre industry
Raf Meersman
CEO Comsof
Project Manager for FCGA Project 2018
34409
September 11, 2018
FTTX Conference
Durban, South Africa

2. 5G is better in
everything?
Yes, but all magic
comes with a price!
* Source ITU “IMT-2020”
5G ≠ 4G

3. 5G ≠ 4G
* Source: Qualcomm

4. 5G ≠ 4G
* Source: Siradel

5. 5G is better in
everything?
Yes, but all magic
comes with a price!
5G means
densification
* Source ITU “IMT-2020”
5G ≠ 4G

6. Evolutions in Wireless Communication
25x
• Wider
spectrum
5x
• Smaller
slices
5x
• Better
modulation
1600x
• Reduced
cells
Densification
60y Wireless
Capacity
increase
Source: X. Tao, X. Xu, and Qimei Cui, “An Overview of
Cooperative Communications”, IEEE Communications,
June 2012, pp. 65-71.
5G requires a
completely
different
backhaul/fronthaul
connection

7. Fronthaul Link
3.5 – 7 Gbps
< 0.2ms Latency
Evolutions in Wireless Communication
From Backhaul to Fronthaul
Mobile
Switch center
Backhaul Link
RU: Radio Unit
RRU: Remote Radio Unit
BBU: Baseband Unit
RU
RU
RU
Cell Site
BBU
40 – 80 Mbps
< 5ms Latency
RRU RRU
RRU
BBU
5G needs Fibre
to every Cell Site
* Source: Corning

8. 5G is an opportunity for Fibre
Because
There is no alternative technology for the
required speed and latency
And
Connectivity is needed in every street
5G = Densification + Fibre

9. 5G Small cells: Site Optimisation
* Source: Siradel
-40 dBm
-95 dBm

10. 5G needs Fibre in “every” street
Fronthaul

11. 5G needs Fibre in “every” street
Backhaul

12. Aerial/Façade
Ducts
Mini/Micro
Synergy
Save costs by looking for alternatives
Trenching = High costs
Fibre Deployment: Cost Challenge

13. Medium Dense area:
• 12.32 km2 , 4.757 mi2
• 22.000 inhabitants
• 2746 SDUs
• 996 MDUs
5G Small cell network
• 634 Cell Sites
Example: 5G Small cell – Fibre network

14. Antenna
Aggregation Point
Feeder Cable
RAN Design:
• 634 Cells
Fibre Design:
• Underground network
(microduct)
• 2f per site
=> Fibre in every street
Example: 5G Small cell – Fibre network
* Source: Comsof

15. Example: FTTH network
Fibre Design:
• Underground network
(microduct)
• 1f per Home
=> Fibre in every street
(2 sides)
* Source: Comsof

16. Savings by
convergence
Cost(MillionsUSD)
Example Result
Synergy opportunities:
• Similar routes/trenches
• Share ducts
• Share cables?
• Share fibres and active components?
* Source: Comsof

17. Savings by
convergence
Cost(MillionsUSD)
Example Result
Synergy opportunities:
• Similar routes/trenches
• Share ducts
• Share cables?
• Share fibres and active components?
* Source: Comsof
Fully Allocated Cost for FTTA
Fully Allocated Cost for FTTH

18. Savings by
convergence
Cost(MillionsUSD)
Example Result
Synergy opportunities:
• Similar routes/trenches
• Share ducts
• Share cables?
• Share fibres and active components?
* Source: Comsof
Incremental cost for FTTA
Standalone cost for FTTH

19. Savings by
convergence
Cost(MillionsUSD)
Example Result
Synergy opportunities:
• Similar routes/trenches
• Share ducts
• Share cables?
• Share fibres and active components?
* Source: Comsof
Standalone cost for FTTA
Incremental cost for FTTH

20. FCGA Project: Objectives
This project intends to
• Demonstrate the potential cost savings of convergence between 5G and FTTH/B
• Illustrate the differences between various scenarios
 Full transparency on assumptions
• Illustrate the impact of key factors on the total cost savings of a converged network
 Stimulate discussions on importance of certain “assumptions”
and the “cost” of certain constraints
What we don’t intend to do is
• Report one figure as the only true value
Because that does not really exist
• Derive a total potential cost saving for a complete country or continent
Because that would require a lot of input data and assumptions

21. FCGA Project: Assumptions
We want to be very transparant about our assumptions
• Antenna locations for 5G
Small cell range
Target 5G coverage / number of 5G Antennas per 4G antenna location
• Design rules/architecture for Fiber
Fibers per Home, per Antenna?
Technology? (NGPON, Ethernet P2P, WDM PON, …)
• Unit costs / Labour rates
Trenching
Aerial cable deployment
Cables
Boxes
Assumptions are not going to be valid for every case, but should be realistic

22. FCGA Project: Scope
Work out several use cases, considering
Very Dense
City Centre
Medium
Dense
Residential
Lower Density
Micro
cells
Pico cells
Dark Fiber /
Wholesale
Vertically
integrated
operator
Underground
Overhead
Existing Duct
reuse
separate FTTH
and FTTA
A fully
converged
FTTH+FTTA
FTTH first,
then FTTA
FTTA first,
then FTTH

23. Timing
The end goal is to generate results by end of 2018

24. Target ongoing study (end 2018): Range of results
Conclusions
5G Densification Fiber
Significant overlap with FTTH
Value of convergence / Cost of non-convergence

25. Thank you for your attention!
Questions?
raf@comsof.com