[AusNOG] Wow

[Paul Jones]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: AusNOG [mailto:ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Alex
> Samad - Yieldbroker
> Sent: Friday, 2 October 2015 1:39 PM
> To: Mark Smith <markzzzsmith at gmail.com>
> Cc: <ausnog at lists.ausnog.net> <ausnog at lists.ausnog.net>
> Subject: Re: [AusNOG] Wow
> 
> This  has gone completely in the wrong direction
> 
> >
> > My read of the article, it implies if all the coper cables are bad
> > they will replace them.
> 
> If it is cheaper to do that than replace everything in the area with FTTP or
> HFC, what is the problem?
> 
> ^^^ This was my point
> And this
> 
> "picking the right technology to solve a problem is about choosing which are
> the acceptable trade-offs, because there are *always* trade-offs."

That's the thing about Engineering - it's all rather subjective at times. People with different experience and expectations always argue the point with one another, with two equally valid points.

It's true that copper works fine for most cases and can be cheaper. It's also equally true that maintenance goes up exponentially as it gets older (ie 10 years+) - unless environmental factors can be controlled. That's why no one has ever seriously argued (on technical/practical merits) that copper shouldn't be used indoors. I.e. for Ethernet/VDSL in MDUs etc.

It's true that fibre (xPON in this case) is the best future proof technology, is slightly more expensive, and survives outdoor conditions better (probably). There are also other advantages with having minimal active equipment in the field and lower power usage overall. Downside is upfront costs are higher, and lead-ins need to be installed (more cost).

Which way you argue depends on political perspective, current unserved needs, and whether or not you live in an old suburb with outages every time it rains! My perspective is I had "cost effective" and I didn't like it. (Old suburb, no HFC.)

Similar arguments surround the electricity distribution networks, and every other infrastructure project. History shows that the economic rationalistic view always costs more money than it saves, and likewise the socialistic view never delivers the full benefits it promises. Therefore, choose something in the middle!

Paul.