ITU-T Recommendations

This Supplement identifies a low cost sustainable optical cable solution for potential users of broadband digital services in remote or rural areas who are unlikely to gain such services. The solution would quickly and inclusively close the digital divide which is the key target of ITU Connect 2020 Agenda.

Matured and proven technologies are best integrated into affordable and reliable solutions suitable for non-skilled local people to install, operate, maintain and repair so that the system will become part of the community thus leading to better system maintenance and quicker damage recovery.

Best practice examples use lightweight, thin and robust optical cables and commodity-type media converters. The results of field trials are presented. The cost of such cables with their simple construction are estimated to be down to one tenth of the solution using conventional optical cables.