Broad-Band Media for Urban Communications

The characteristics of media for future broad-band two-way urban communications are reviewed. The media discussed include existing paired telephone cables, modified paired cables for higher frequency use, coaxial cable, waveguide, optical fibers and microwave radio. The paper discusses basic physical and transmission properties as they relate to broad-band use in the urban environment. Emphasis is placed on the portion of the plant between the customer and the nearest central location such as a telephone central office building, because this portion of the plant is controlling both physically and economically. The paper includes a discussion of the relevant characteristics of the urban environment, since these will have a strong impact on the suitability of the various media.