ITU moves forward with G.fast for high-speed internet over copper

The new G.fast standard for very high-speed broadband services over existing copper wires has taken a step closer towards realisation after an ITU study group approved a recommendation that specifies methods to minimise the risk of G.fast equipment interfering with broadcast services such as FM radio.

The Geneva meeting of ITU-T Study Group 15 paves the way for the G.fast standard to be approved early next year. G.fast is designed to enable high-speed downloads over copper for a distance up to 250 meters, removing the need to install fibre between street-level distribution points and individual properties. According to the ITU, G.fast could see speeds of up to 1Gbps delivered over existing copper plant.

The standard is being coordinated with the Broadband Forum’s system architecture project, Fibre to the Distribution Point (FTTdp). The ITU-T and the Broadband Forum have been working to ensure that G.fast solutions can be easily placed into FTTdp deployments.

“G.fast is an important standard for service providers globally,” said Tom Starr, chairman of ITU-T Study Group 15, Working Party 1, which oversees the G.fast effort. “Service providers will be able to deliver fibre-like performance more quickly and more affordably than with any other approach.”