The "last mile" specifies the connection from the local distributor of the signal to the end user or home. Several companies are providing different methods to connect and provide services of voice, data, music, video, and all other communications. They include wired solutions PSTN, cable, and fiber optics, and wireless solutions, fixed wireless, power line, and satellite. Also, many of these technologies are combined to provide new methods of bringing the communications signals to the home, including hybrid fiber/copper, hybrid fiber/coax, and wireless/wired systems. Many wireless systems in multiple bands compete for the "last mile." Methods considered include point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint for bringing broadband communications information and provide networking capabilities amongst the end users. The basic requirement for all of these methods is to bring high-speed information to the home and office environments.

Chapter Contents:

• 9.1 Types of Transmission Mediums
• 9.2 Telephone Wire
• 9.3 Coaxial Cable
• 9.4 Fiber Optics
• 9.5 Wireless and Radio Frequency
• 9.6 Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS)
• 9.7 Microwave (or Multichannel) Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)
• 9.8 Standards for LMDS and MMDS
• 9.9 Satellite Communications
• 9.10 Summary
• 9.11 References

Inspec keywords: computer networks; home networks; radiocommunication

Other keywords: broadband communications; multipoint-to-multipoint method; point-to-point method; office network; home network; wireless systems

Subjects: Computer communications; Computer networks and techniques; Radio links and equipment