PDF of this tutorialDefinition
Internet service in residential multidwelling units (MDUs) is about to become the next utility after gas, water, and electricity. Internet-ready building (IRB) is defined as making an MDU ready for high-speed broadband services using Internet protocol (IP) with the entire required infrastructure, network, operation, and service functions.
Overview
The deregulation phenomena taking place in the telecommunications world will allow different business entities to penetrate the residential and commercial environment through the access network, with either a copper wire, coax, fiber, or wireless infrastructure.
As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the IRB creates an untapped business opportunity for service providers. In relation to the last mile, the IRB resides at the last drop of the subscriber network, which may be beyond the point of demarcation. Access to the IRB may be by wireless or by wireline connection. This feeding mechanism enables a point-to-multipoint service, creating a central pipe serving many customers. The uplink connection can be terminated at the building’s point of demarcation, thus enabling IRB services over the telephone copper wires.
Building a broadband access network that relies on IRBs and is complemented by wireline and wireless last-mile technologies creates a new service model with some exciting business opportunities for the traditional service providers as well as for new competitor carriers.
This tutorial will present a new model for creating a residential IRB that relies on a new service-switching concept.
