FTTH Networks Lead the Pack in FCC Survey of Consumer Broadband Speeds
Real-world consumer experience shows that all-fiber broadband services perform better around the clock than those provided over
other access networks
(WASHINGTON) – Fiber to the home (FTTH) networks outpaced cable-based and DSL services in the Federal Communications Commission’s first nationwide performance study of residential wireline broadband service in the United States using measurement technology deployed in the consumer’s home.
The report issued today by the FCC, Measuring Broadband America, examines service offerings from 13 of the largest broadband providers using automated, direct measurements of broadband performance delivered to the homes of thousands of volunteer broadband subscribers during March 2011. The initiative was part of the National Broadband Plan issued by the Commission last year.
The study found that, with regard to peak period download speeds as compared to a 24-hour average, FTTH services delivered virtually peak speeds around the clock, while drop-off in performance during peak usage periods was 5.5 percent for DSL and 7.3 percent for cable-based services.
When comparing advertised download connection speeds of the various services, the study found that, on average, fiber-to-the-home services delivered 114 percent of advertised speeds, compared to 93 percent for cable and 82 percent for DSL. FTTH services also delivered 112 percent of advertised upload speeds, again outpacing cable and DSL.
Latency, the time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one designated point to another in a network, was far lower in fiber to the home services across all speed tiers.
“This FCC report, which is firmly grounded in the experience of broadband consumers across the country, provides further evidence of what we have been saying for some time – that FTTH networks are superior to other access technologies with regard to delivering fast broadband consistently and reliably,” said Dan O’Connell, President of the FTTH Council. “In the years ahead, only fiber to the home will be able to deliver the level of performance that will be needed for consumers to keep pace with emerging applications and services and the bandwidth they will require.”
As of April 2011, all-fiber networks were available to nearly one-fifth of North American households, with more than seven million homes connected to FTTH.
About the Fiber-to-the-Home Council
Now in its tenth year, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council is a non-profit association consisting of companies and organizations that deliver video, Internet and/or voice services over high-bandwidth, next-generation, direct fiber optic connections – as well as those involved in planning and building FTTH networks. The Council works to create a cohesive group to share knowledge and build industry consensus on key issues surrounding fiber to the home. Its mission is to educate the public and government officials about FTTH solutions and to promote and accelerate deployment of fiber to the home and the resulting quality of life enhancements such networks make possible. The Council organizes North America’s largest annual FTTH event, the FTTH Conference & Expo, which will be held September 26 – 30, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. More information about the Council can be found at www.ftthcouncil.org.
Media Contact:
David St. John
Media Relations
FTTH Council
315.849.3800
media@ftthcouncil.org
