FTTX stands for Fiber to the X, where the 'X' represents the termination point of the optical network. It encompasses FTTH (Home), FTTB (Building), FTTC (Curb), and FTTN (Node). The specific letter indicates how deep the fiber penetrates into the access network before handing off the signal to copper or wireless connections.
The city's new FTTX rollout will start with fiber to the node before eventually pushing drops to individual homes.
When bidding on an FTTX project, always clarify the 'X'. Pushing fiber to a curb cabinet requires vastly different splicing labor than running individual drops to residential premises.
Also heard as
- Fiber to the X
Related terms
FTTH
Fiber to the Home: access networks that run fiber all the way into each residence.
FTTD
A network design that runs optical fiber directly to individual user workstations.
PON
Passive Optical Network: a point-to-multipoint fiber network where unpowered splitters share one fiber among many users.
Drop
The final fiber cable run from a distribution terminal on the street to a single customer building.