Algorithmic PON/P2P FTTH access network design for CAPEX minimization

Due to the emergence of high bandwidth-requiring services, telecommunication operators (telcos) are called to upgrade their fixed access network. In order to keep up with the competition, they must consider different optical access network solutions with Fiber To The Home (FTTH) as the prevailing one. It provides an obvious advantage for the end users in terms of high achievable data rates. On the other hand, the high initial deployment cost required exists as the heaviest impediment. The main goal of this paper is to study different approaches when designing a fiber access network. More concretely, two different optimizations are alternatively evaluated, fiber and trenching minimization, over two of the most typical fiber access architectures, Point-to-Point (P2P) and Passive Optical Network (PON). These are applied to a real geographical scenario and the best returned output in terms of minimum trenching and fiber length is highlighted. Finally, a physical topology that fits best in one of these architectures will be chosen with regards to minimum total capital expenditure (CAPEX).