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approximately 200 times faster than speeds in the average
residential broadband connection today. In providing fiber-
like speeds, the copper-based technology could enable a
two-hour HD movie to download in less than 10 seconds, or
for 1,000 photos to be uploaded in less than two seconds.
Deutsche Telekom’s network – which uses VDSL2 Vectoring
as well as fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology – currently
offers customers access speeds of up to 100 megabits-per-
second (Mbps). In enabling Deutsche Telekom to make
efficient use of its existing copper network infrastructure,
the innovative XG-FAST technology could also enable it
to deliver further on commitments to Germany’s national
broadband targets for providing more bandwidth to more
people.
Key Facts:
Technologies such as G.fast and XG-FAST use the last
section of existing copper networks to deliver fiber-like
speeds to homes and offices. XG-FAST is in the early stages
of lab testing, but has exceeded expectations in trials with
several customers so far.
The XG-FAST trial with Deutsche Telekom demonstrated an
aggregated bandwidth exceeding 11Gbps on two bonded
pairs of Category 6 cable at 50 meters in length. Similar
tests using standard drop cable illustrated the feasibility of
XG-FAST for fiber-to-the-front door applications, achieving
aggregate rates that exceed 8Gbps over 50m. All trials
were performed using prototype equipment from Bell Labs
under laboratory conditions.
XG-FAST is also capable of delivering 1Gbps symmetrical
services at distances of 70m enabling operators to deliver
fiber-like speeds inside buildings using existing telephone
lines, eliminating the need to install new cabling. This
allows for faster installation times and less hassle for the
end-user.
Nokia’s fixed ultra-broadband access portfolio offers service
providers a comprehensive mix of fiber and copper access
technologies to suit the needs of any deployment.
Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, CTO of Deutsche Telekom, said:
“Working on this demonstration we can see the future
possibilities of XG-FAST in maximizing existing assets. This
will provide another technology option which could enable
us to offer high-speed connectivity to our customers quickly
and cost-effectively, and at the same time, move our fiber
infrastructure closer to our customers.”
EU researchers have created an innovative toolbox in order
to ensure the safety and continued security of European
electricity networks, and to help facilitate a greater shift
towards renewable energy sources
The EU-funded UMBRELLA project has unveiled its key
successes and deliverables during a one-day workshop in
Brussels on 26 January 2016. This included the creation
of a toolbox prototype for Transmission System Operators
(TSOs) to guarantee secure grid operation in future
electricity networks with a high penetration of intermittent
renewable energy sources (RES).
The toolbox enables TSOs to act in a coordinated European
target system where regional strategies converge to
ensure the best possible use of the European electricity
infrastructure.
There is a growing contribution of less predictable and
more variable RES, which is taking place alongside the
gradual integration of national markets into one common
New toolbox to help boost and secure European electricity
networks
European electrical energy market. Market mechanisms
are increasingly not being able to cover certain aspects
of system security, leading to high deviations between
scheduled and physical flows in terms of time, direction
and volume.
As a consequence, meteorological forecasting errors may
lead to unforeseen violations of operating limits and trigger
cascading outages in stressed-system situations.
This results in the need for more complex operational
planning and transmission operation, taking the network
closer to its operational limits.
The UMBRELLA toolbox
The UMBRELLA toolbox includes a deterministic and
probabilistic optimisation framework for corrective actions
to cope with simulated risks on different timescales and
increasing system complexity. The overall aim of this is to
reduce the total cost of uncertainty whilst also increasing
system security and transmission capacity.
14 l New-Tech Magazine Europe