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:
Factors | FTTH Network | Other Networks |
---|---|---|
Bandwidth | 10+ Gbs | 1 Gb |
Durability | 30 – 50 years | 5 years |
Interference | N/A | Subject to voltage surges, EMI / RFI interference |
Distance | 40 km at 10,000 Mbps | 100 m at 1,000 Mbps |
Security | No signal radiation, difficult to tap | Subject to tapping |
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 –
Year End | No. of FTTH Broadband Connections |
---|---|
Dec’14 | 103632 |
Dec’15 | 196777 |
Dec’16 | 340458 |
Dec’17 | 476661 |
Dec’18 | 1191117 |
Dec’19 | 2311540 |
Dec’20 | 2932527 |
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:
Plan | Monthly Charges(Rs) | Max speed | Data Available | Local/STD calls |
---|---|---|---|---|
Basic | 499 | Up to 40 Mbps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Standard | 799 | Up to 100 Mbps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Entertainment | 999 | Up to 200 Mbps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Professional | 1499 | Up to 300 Mbps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Infinity | 3999 | Up to 1 Gbps | Unlimited | Unlimited |
You can learn more about Airtel FTTH connection and other plans here.
BSNL FTTH Plans
Below is a list of BSNL Bharat Fiber FTTH broadband Plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:
BSNL Bharat Fiber Broadband Plan | Price (in Rs.) | Speed | Data FUP | Additional Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fiber Basic | 449 | Up to 30Mbps (2Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fibro | 499 | Up to 50Mbps (2Mbps post FUP limit) | 100 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Basic Plus | 599 | Up to 60Mbps (2Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber TB | 777 | Up to 100Mbps (5Mbps post FUP limit) | 1000 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Super Star-1 | 779 | Up to 100Mbps (5Mbps post FUP limit) | 1000 GB | Disney+ Hotstar Premium annual subscription, unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Value | 799 | Up to 100Mbps (2Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Value Plus | 849 | Up to 100Mbps (10Mbps post FUP limit) | 1500 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Super Star-2 | 949 | Up to 150Mbps (10Mbps post FUP limit) | 2000 GB | Disney+ Hotstar Premium annual subscription, unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Premium | 999 | Up to 200Mbps (2Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Disney+ Hotstar Premium annual subscription, unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Premium Plus | 1277 | Up to 200Mbps (15Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Ultra | 1499 | Up to 300Mbps (4Mbps post FUP limit) | 3300 GB | Disney+ Hotstar Premium annual subscription, unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Silver | 1999 | Up to 300Mbps (25Mbps post FUP limit) | 4500 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Silver Plus | 2499 | Up to 300Mbps (30Mbps post FUP limit) | 5000 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Ruby | 4499 | Up to 300Mbps (40Mbps post FUP limit) | 6500 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Golden | 5999 | Up to 300Mbps (50Mbps post FUP limit) | 8000 GB | Unlimited voice calls |
Fiber Diamond | 9999 | Up to 300Mbps (60Mbps post FUP limit) | 12000 GB | Up to 300Mbps (50Mbps post FUP limit) |
You can learn more about BSNL FTTH connection and other plans here.
Jio FTTH
Below is a list of Jio FTTH broadband plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:
Monthly Price (in Rs.) | Quarterly Price (in Rs.) | Semi-annual Price (in Rs.) | Annual Price (in Rs.) | Additional Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|
399 | 1197 | 2394 | 4788 | 30Mbps, unlimited data, Free Voice and Video Calling |
699 | 2097 | 4194 | 8388 | 100Mbps, unlimited data, Free Voice and Video Calling |
999 | 2997 | 5994 | 11988 | 150Mbps, unlimited data, Free Voice and Video Calling, 14 OTT subscriptions |
1499 | 4497 | 8994 | 17988 | 300Mbps, unlimited data, Free Voice and Video Calling, 15 OTT subscriptions |
2499 | 7497 | 14994 | 29998 | 500Mbps, unlimited data, 15 OTT subscriptions |
3999 | 11997 | 23994 | 47988 | 1 Gbps, unlimited data, Free Voice and Video Calling, 15 OTT subscriptions |
8499 | 25497 | 50994 | 101988 | 1 Gbps, up to 6,600GB data, Free Voice and Video Calling, 15 OTT subscriptions |
You can learn more about Jio Fiber FTTH connection and other plans here.
ACT Fibernet FTTH
Below is a list of ACT FTTH broadband plans, their prices, speeds, data, and additional benefits:
Plan for ACT Bangalore | Monthly Data | Internet Speed | Monthly Price |
---|---|---|---|
ACT Basic | 500 GB | 40 Mbps | ₹549 |
ACT Swift | 750 GB | 75 Mbps | ₹710 |
ACT Rapid Plus | 1000 GB | 100 Mbps | ₹985 |
ACT Blaze | 1500 GB | 150 Mbps | ₹1085 |
ACT Storm | *Unlimited | 300 Mbps | ₹1185 |
ACT Lightning | *Unlimited | 350 Mbps | ₹1425 |
ACT Incredible | *Unlimited | 400 Mbps | ₹1999 |
ACT Essential | *Unlimited | 400 Mbps | ₹ 2999 |
ACT Advance | *Unlimited | 400 Mbps | ₹3999 |
You can learn more about ACT’s FTTH connection and other plans here.
Asia is becoming the biggest hub for FTTH deployment, with more than 225 million users subscribing to FTTH at the end of 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best FTTH provider in India?
BSNL is one of India’s largest internet service providers. Jio GigaFiber is Jio’s Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband service available over fixed lines.
Is FTTH more efficient than FTTM?
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), also known as Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), offers an end-to-end fiber optic connection from the exchange to the building and may give better speeds than FTTC since there is no copper leg at all.
What makes FTTP faster?
Whilst both Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) promise high speeds, and they are both faster than the conventional ADSL connection, because of the pure fibre optic delivery, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) has got the edge for guaranteed performance.