Networks for the village – technology explained for rural areas.
From the Minister of Posts to the present day
In the 1980s, Postal Minister Christian Schwarz-Schilling oversaw the massive expansion of broadband cable networks in Germany. The goal at the time was to bring more radio and television programs into homes – and for this purpose, the now proverbial "thick copper cables" were laid.
What many don't know: This infrastructure is still one of the most powerful data highways in the country – and it can be used effectively for many years to come with modern technology.
Only DSL over old two-wire telephone lines reaches its technical limits here – low bandwidth, high susceptibility to interference and no real future viability.
HFC – a brief look behind the scenes
HFC stands for Hybrid Fibre Coax – a network that combines fiber optic and coaxial cables:
- Fiber optics offer high capacity over long distances.
- The coaxial cables are reliable, robust, and far from being at their limit.
Conclusion: Copper cables can deliver high data rates (up to X Gbit/s) – a complete fiber optic rollout is not always necessary.
DOCSIS 4.0 makes it possible to provide gigabit bandwidths over these coaxial cable links – and with comparatively low investment, because existing lines can continue to be used.
Why fiber optic cable to the home is not always necessary
Fiber optics is undoubtedly a technology of the future – but its widespread rollout to every home can take years and incur immense costs in rural areas.
HFC offers a pragmatic approach here:
- Available more quickly, as existing cable networks are being modernized.
- High bandwidth for current and future applications
- Reliable and scalable to meet even increasing demands.
Advantages for municipalities and districts
- Short implementation times – rapid improvement in the supply situation
- Lower investment costs compared to full fiber optics
- Future-proof technology that can easily be supplemented or expanded with fiber optics later.
Especially for municipalities that need better networks in the short term, HFC is often the most economically sensible bridge to the gigabit society.
DELTA Electronics supports network operators and municipalities in making optimal use of existing infrastructure:
From planning and consulting to DOCSIS 4.0-compatible hardware, we supply the building blocks for high-performance rural networks.
