Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. The Competition

2. The Last-Mile Picture

3. Implementation Examples

4. The MDU/MTU Market Segmentation

5. Issues Involved with Converting a Building into Internet-Ready

6. Splitterless System Installation

7. Service Switching—A New Suggested Model for Creating an IRB

8. The Architecture

9. Summary

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

1. The largest segment is residential MDUs and includes consumer multidwelling units from the size of skyscrapers to garden-style complexes. These MDUs are spread throughout the world. The residential market requirements are well-defined for Internet services.

2. The second-largest market is for commercial multitenant units (MTUs) and includes business MTUs consisting of skyscrapers down to commercial campuses and strip malls. These MTUs are usually concentrated in downtown areas, business districts, and industrial campuses. In many cases, the fiber infrastructure reaches the building basement or the street cabinet. One interesting segment of this market is the executive office suite—a fast-growing and dynamic area. The MTU market is very versatile from a service perspective.

3. The third market is the hospitality segment. This market includes hotels, dormitories, and hospitals. According to an America’s Network article, it is estimated that nationwide in the United States there are more than 3.5 million hotel properties. Currently, in hotels, Internet service is mainly a demand of business travelers and is quickly becoming a necessity for middle- to high-value hotels.

Other niche segments can be found, including commercial and educational applications in schools, clubs, and marinas.