1Gbps between 2-pair Ethernet CPE and 2-pair Ethernet Switch
SK Broadband announced last week (on the 21th) that it has successfully developed a solution that enables 1Gbps Internet speeds in both UL and DL over the legacy 2-pair cable without the need of installing extra cables for the first time in the world.
Most of apartment buildings built before 2010 have only 2-pair LAN cables. So residents who want 1 giga Internet service have to install extra 2 pairs of cables, which is almost impossible in many buildings due to the difficulties of securing space for extra pipe lines.
To address this issue, SK Braodband already came up with a solution, '2-pair Ethernet' that can achieve up to 500Mbps over the existing 2-pair LAN cables in 2013 for the first time in the world.
And with the latest solution that it co-developed with SK Telecom 'Network Technology R&D Center', the operator can now offer improved Internet speeds of 1Gbps in both DL and UL still using existing 2-pair LAN cables.
What’s great about this solution is that it adopts an Ethernet-based global standard for the first time in the world that can effectively minimize speed degradation caused by interference and noise, achieving up to 1Gbps in both DL and UL. Ethernet is one of the most representative LAN technologies widely used in enterprises and homes.
‘1 giga over 2-pair Ethernt’ solutions so far were all home network-based, and it was hard to achieve 1Gbps in both UL and DL. However, the latest solution by SK Broadband can offer 1Gbps in both ways for the first time in the world.
This solution can be used simply by adding two devices: 2-pair Ethernet switch in the MDF of the apartment community and 2-pair Ethernet CPE at home. No installation of extra LAN cables in the apartment buildings is required. 2-pair Ethernet CPEs will be designed to support multiple smart devices at home simultaneously for uninterrupted service provision by reflecting the latest Wi-Fi standards (802.11ac Wave2).
SK Broadband aims to complete testing of this '1 giga over 2-pair Ethernet' solution by the end of the year and have it commercialized in the first half of 2017.
Jichang Yu, Head of Network Division said "So far, depending on the structure of apartment buildings, giga Internet service was not available for everyone. Since the development of '500Mbps over 2-pair LAN cable' in 2013, we have made every effort and could present this 1Gbps over 2-pair cable that offers 1Gbps in both UL and DL." He added, "We will continue to stay committed to develop '2.5Gbps over 4-pair LAN cable' solution and '1Gbps Internet service over telephone line', leading the giga Internet era.
I was trying to put around this and it is funny because high-level of bandwidth in access networks is often associated with various technologies such as Copper : VDSL2 with multiple pair bonding or even G.Fast ; Fiber with GPON and 10Gb/s capability or Wireless with 4G TDD with Category 6 or 7 that deliver fiber-like services up to 300 Mbps. But, what about this SK Broadband on which basis is it built upon ? To me, it is like active fiber and not passive but could you please confirm..
It is a 2-pair LAN cable, which is copper.
No doubt, it is a great break-through because the existing infrastructure is untouched and the bandwidth at the last-mile has gone up:-). Helps us to pass the benefits to the end customer at a very low-cost due to the low capex/opex due to the unchanged infrastructure.
This can be likened to the 2.5G/5G development meant for retaining the same infrastructure in mobile/wireless back-hauling.
It is really interesting - although no techie details in the article which tends to trigger a lot of cynicism......
It gets more interesting and useful as long as it meets the other constraints that an IEEE 802.3 LAN standard needs to conform to.
- LAN cabling is usually designed for up to 100m runs - only supporting shorter distances will limit its applicability.
- it needs to not "self interfere" when lots of services use pairs in close proximity.
- it needs to not interfere with other standard services that may be on a common cabling system - analog voice / ISDN2 / 100m Ethernet for starters.
Hi Stephen, by virtue of 'LAN cabling', the standards are already conformed to - my guess.
Running on 2 pair wiring isnt the same as working on a specific type of wiring system - it sort of implies it might be cables from a 2 pair system already used for a lower speed Ethernet, so probably 100 Base-Tx - although lots of UTP cabling systems can do that. It might even be intended for 2 pair IBM style shielded twisted pairs.....
It is 1 thing to run over the cabling system - it is a separate and more constrained technical issue to "play nice" with other services on the same system.
Some twisted pair wiring systems uses dedicated 4 pair cables, but others allow for large aggregate 24 or 50 pair multipair cables and intermediate patching / punchdown interconnects.....
The article mentions this is "Ethernet" but doesnt mention any proposal for this to be standardised - Which may be a sensible decision if they expect to make more money or need less work with something "Ethernet" but not fully standard, since that way they dont have to license the underlying technology.