National OnDemand has become an emerging player in the fiber optic network solutions market. With our industry-proven experience and high-quality solutions, we have built the reputation of a reliable optical fiber network infrastructure provider, one with a team that works with cutting-edge optical fiber network technologies to deliver high-value, durable, and efficient fiber networks.
Use this glossary to understand the key terms, technologies, and programs that shape how fiber and broadband networks get built today.
Network Architecture and Deployment
Point-to-Point (P2P) Fiber Deployment A point-to-point (P2P) fiber network is a dedicated connection between a primary access node and various client points, such as servers, workstations, or external business locations. This type of network creates a direct connection with secure data transmission and specified bandwidth, offering greater security, easier management, and more effective network administration.
P2P fiber connections are the best option for organizations that need to connect more than one building to a corporate center, want unusually high security across workstations, need extraordinary bandwidth on various network ports, or require equal download and upload speeds. Some organizations need P2P fiber connections to meet compliance standards.
Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) GPON is a point-to-multipoint connectivity network. A GPON connection works like a P2P network, except it connects a single access node to multiple client points through passive splitters. This lets a single fiber serve many small buildings, such as houses or small business units.
GPON technology suits large fiber optic networks where the access node operator wants to provide multiple services to its clients. It lets service providers cut infrastructure costs significantly while increasing bandwidth, usually offering up to 2.5 Gbps download speed and roughly half that in upload bandwidth. Through GPON connectivity, organizations can achieve secure, adaptable, and fast deployments across a large market at low ownership and rollout costs.
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) is a method for delivering data transmissions to multiple endpoints spread across a wide area. It’s widely used in last-mile telecommunications work.
Using GPON and P2P Ethernet architecture, service providers use FTTH connectivity to install fiber to a residence, where a router distributes the bandwidth to multiple ports acting as endpoints. Through an FTTH protocol, devices consuming bandwidth at these endpoints, including computers and smartphones, receive strong speeds up to 100 Mbps.
FTTH connectivity is popular among telecom service providers that need mass-market access and are building the large-scale infrastructure that ambition requires. Learn more about how technicians handle drop bury installation for FTTH projects.
Aerial and Underground Fiber Placement Aerial fiber placement is a method of cable distribution used on large networks, often at a nationwide scale. Aerial cables are insulated fiber cables suspended overhead, running across a network’s coverage area on utility poles or similar support structures.
Underground fiber placement is another method of distribution, where fiber cables run across large regions beneath the surface of the ground. Both placements are central components of large fiber cable infrastructure and are widely used by public agencies and large private companies. Through these placements, network owners channel bandwidth and distribute service to large numbers of end users.
National OnDemand is looking for experienced aerial linemen and other field technicians to support these deployments.
Fiber Splicing
Fusion Splicing (Loose Tube) Fusion splicing is the process of permanently fusing two fibers together without using connectors. This method reduces insertion loss and makes the network more efficient.
Loose tube fusion splicing is the more common and traditionally trusted way to splice fibers. It requires specialized equipment, including fusion splicers, and technicians must be trained and qualified for the job, since loose tube splicing involves a detailed, multi-step process. Read more about what it takes to build a career as a fiber splicer.
Fusion Splicing (Ribbon) Ribbon splicing is another form of fusion splicing. Instead of stripping, cleaning, cleaving, and splicing every single fiber individually, as loose tube splicing requires, ribbon splicing joins fibers in ribbons of 12 at once using a ribbon-splicing machine.
Because the technician splices a ribbon of 12 fibers at a time rather than each fiber separately, the process moves at least 12 times faster and saves considerable labor costs. Our team includes technicians with years of experience in loose tube fusion splicing, and many have also built expertise in ribbon splicing, a newer technology in the field.
Fiber Testing
Fiber Optic Testing Once a fiber network is installed, thorough testing is the final step before live traffic runs on it. Fiber optic testing includes several distinct checks, described below, and our technicians are qualified to perform each one.
Visual Inspection Visual inspection is done with a fiber optic tracer, a tool that resembles a small flashlight and checks for visual damage to the fibers in a cable. The technician connects a cable to the tracer and checks whether light transmits to the other end of the fiber. If it doesn’t, the technician locates the fault by checking each connection point in the cable.
Power Testing Every fiber optic system is expected to maintain a designated range of power depending on the network’s requirements, which vary based on the system’s purpose. Power testing confirms that the fibers in a cable carry power within the strength assigned to that system.
If a system’s power runs too low, the receiving device confuses signal and noise, making the transmission faulty and noisy. Power that runs too high can cause other transmission errors. A power meter, an easy-to-use device that measures the current power reading of a cable, is used to test power in a fiber optic system.
Loss Testing (Link Loss) Link loss is the loss of power in a fiber optic cable due to internal diminution and outside conditions affecting the fiber. Every fiber optic cable is tested for link loss to confirm the recorded loss stays within the plant’s link loss budget before service reaches the client. Link loss can be measured using two different methods, and our technicians are qualified to perform both.
OTDR Testing (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is a specialized instrument used to test a fiber cable’s integrity. It measures the loss at splices within the cable and helps with troubleshooting.
An OTDR is a sophisticated instrument that produces many kinds of data, so only technicians who are well versed in reading that data are permitted to operate it. Our OTDR testers are trained to master the instrument and are qualified for this work.
Certifications As a full-service fiber optic solutions provider with a capable and experienced team of licensed technical professionals, we consider it our duty to stay transparent and compliant in our operations. For every fiber optic project we complete, we invite recognized independent agencies to test and certify the new network’s performance against industry standards. This practice gives our clients assurance that we delivered what we promised.
Federal Broadband Programs
BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program) BEAD is a $42.45 billion federal program, created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), that funds broadband construction in unserved and underserved communities across the United States. It’s the largest broadband deployment effort in U.S. history. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) oversees the program, while individual states manage their own grant programs and award funding to providers. Read our full guide to the BEAD Program for a deeper breakdown of how funding flows, how states select projects, and what it means for rural connectivity.
Unserved Location Under BEAD, an unserved location is a home, business, or anchor institution that receives less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload (25/3 Mbps), or has no reliable broadband service at all. Unserved locations receive top priority for BEAD funding.
Underserved Location Under BEAD, an underserved location is a home, business, or anchor institution that has broadband service, but at speeds below 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (100/20 Mbps). Underserved locations are funded after unserved locations are addressed.
Community Anchor Institution A community anchor institution is a school, library, hospital, or similar public-serving facility that BEAD prioritizes for gigabit-level broadband service, reflecting the high-capacity connectivity these institutions need to serve their communities.
NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) NTIA is the federal agency that sets national policy for the BEAD Program and oversees its funding. NTIA works with individual state broadband offices, which develop the specific rules, scoring systems, and grant programs used to award BEAD money locally.
BEAD Challenge Process The BEAD challenge process is the formal period during which communities, counties, ISPs, Tribal governments, and nonprofits can dispute whether a location on the FCC’s broadband map is accurately classified as served, underserved, or unserved. Using evidence like speed test data and construction records, stakeholders can correct inaccurate maps, which determines which locations qualify for BEAD funding.
BABA (Build America, Buy America) BABA is a federal requirement that all BEAD-funded construction projects use U.S.-manufactured steel, iron, and construction materials. BABA compliance runs through at least 2029 and requires careful documentation and supply chain planning from providers working on BEAD-funded builds.
Digital Equity Digital equity refers to efforts that go beyond building physical infrastructure to make sure people can actually adopt and use broadband service. This includes access to devices, multilingual support, digital literacy training, and other tools that turn a broadband connection into real opportunity. The Digital Equity Act supports these efforts alongside BEAD’s infrastructure funding.
Last Mile The last mile is the final stretch of a network that connects a home or business to the broader fiber or broadband infrastructure. It covers work like burying or running drop cables, splicing and testing the connection, and installing equipment on-site. Learn more about how National OnDemand’s Last Mile Division handles drops and installs, splicing and testing, structured cabling, and end-user support.
Drop Bury Drop bury refers to the process of installing broadband cable by burying it underground to connect a home or business to the network, rather than running it overhead on poles. Burying cable protects it from weather, traffic, and vandalism. Learn more about the role of a drop bury technician.
In short, National OnDemand is ready to provide all the infrastructure and technical support you need for your fiber optic and broadband networks. With streamlined operations and tested protocols, getting a project underway and finished successfully is only a matter of how soon you start the process.
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