Metro Ethernet in the physical plant

Property developers can use Metro Ethernet to increase property values and tenant satisfaction in a large range of properties, including apartment complexes, condominiums, university dormitories, townhouse complexes, and other multi dwelling/tenant units (MxU). Owners of these buildings can install Metro Ethernet at low cost with easy upgrade potential, and benefit from the increased property values associated with technologically-advanced living spaces.

In some cases, Metro Ethernet can be installed on existing copper wires that run to the nearest local telecoms switching office. This is possible where access to local copper wire plant is granted by incumbent telecoms provider. But in most cases, access to copper wires isn’t possible, so a new fibre optic cable runs from the street or nearest utility services point into each building. This is typically a horizontal fibre optic cable that is pulled into the building’s basement or equipment room. Sometimes a single incoming cable run can service several adjacent buildings - lowering costs.

Incoming fibre optic cables are connected to a Metro Ethernet switch that is located in the basement or service area. From the Ethernet switch, network service is given to users via vertical cables that run to apartments or offices throughout the building. Vertical cables can be either standard copper UTP cabling or fibre optic cable. Fibre optic cables generally 'future proof" a cable plant, ensuring that years and years of service can be attained without costly upgrades or replacement. If a vertical cable plant is not available or too costly to install, it is often possible to service the entire building with a wireless local area network using a 'wifi" technology such as 802.11g.

Although Metro Ethernet is a powerful next generation technology, it is actually very simple to plan and deploy. A single incoming fibre optic cable and a cost-effective, low-maintenance Ethernet switch are all that’s necessary to deliver high-speed, revenue-producing voice, data and video services to an entire building.