6 reasons to connect PON in an apartment

How it works

Earlier we described the technology and its advantages, but today we want to focus on the specifics of connection in apartment buildings.

As a reminder, PON technology involves the use of fibre optic cable all the way from the provider to the subscriber. The network elements are passive equipment, so malfunctions are kept to a minimum, there is no dependence on power supply, and the connection speed is stable.

Passive equipment includes, for example, splitters that distribute an optical signal among subscribers. They do not require a power supply, which means there are no components between the service provider and your apartment that could shut down if the power goes out.

A diagram of the subscriber side network is shown below:

In this way, the fibre is not just brought to the house (as with standard FTTx), but specifically to your flat. If you have installed the twisted pair in the wall, you can install a terminal in the vestibule, where the distribution from the flat is led out, instead of rewiring the cable.

Subscriber's terminal is needed for transformation of light signal into electric one for further transmission via twisted pair. Then it is as usual: the cable is connected to a router or a computer.

1. Independence from the power supply in the neighbourhood. For the Internet to work, it is sufficient to have power in the flat. With an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the internet will continue to work in the absence of electricity in the house. To keep the Internet running during a power outage, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) must power two devices: the subscriber terminal and the router. Since their power consumption is low, even a compact UPS is usually sufficient to keep them running for several hours. Read our article to learn more about how to set up a backup power supply for your subscriber equipment so that your internet keeps working during power outages. If the power is out only in your apartment and you do not have a UPS, the terminal and router will not work; while the provider’s passive network remains operational, the devices in your apartment rely on power from your own electrical outlets.
2. Fiber-optic cabling is used for the connection. It represents a global trend, and there are several reasons for this. First, fiber-optic cables have virtually no speed limitations. While twisted-pair cabling is limited to a transmission distance of 100 meters, an optical signal can travel tens of kilometers without any loss; this allows the fiber to be routed directly from the service provider to an individual apartment without the need for additional signal-amplification equipment. Second, there is the matter of convenience: fiber-optic cables are thinner and lighter than twisted-pair cables, making them easier to install in building hallways or along walls, and they remain almost unnoticeable once inside an apartment. Third, there is security: because they contain no metal components, fiber-optic cables are immune to lightning strikes and hold no value for thieves. Finally, there is cost: fiber-optic cabling is half the price of twisted-pair cabling.
3. Signal stability during peak loads is another key advantage. Fiber-optic networks are highly resilient under heavy traffic — for instance, during the evening hours when many users go online simultaneously. A direct fiber-optic connection to an apartment helps minimize latency (ping) and reduces the risk of a drop in speed. This is particularly important for activities such as online gaming, video calls, and streaming video, where a stable connection is just as critical as high speed.
4. By default a subscriber gets gigabit access to the Internet. Regardless of the tariff chosen, it is possible to instantly upgrade to 1 Gbps without replacing the cable. This is important as the internet changes and user demands increase: 4K streaming, cloud services, working with large files, and dozens of devices in a smart home — all these things place an ever-increasing load on your home network. A gigabit-capable connection means you don’t have to worry about it.
5. The subscriber gets his own personal connection channel. There are no nodes from central to home equipment that can adversely affect the connection. When the need for higher speed arises, you simply change the equipment at the ends of the line; the cable itself remains the same, so there is no need to run new cabling through your building entrance or apartment.
6. One cable — a multitude of possibilities. A fiber-optic connection can be used not only for high-speed internet but also for digital television (IPTV), IP telephony, and other services provided by your service provider. This is convenient when you need to access multiple services without having to run a separate cable for each one.

What to check before installation

Although the fiber-optic line reaches your apartment, the internet speed you experience at home also depends on the equipment connected after the terminal. Before the technician arrives, it is worth checking the following three things to ensure that your gigabit connection isn’t bottlenecked by outdated hardware or cabling:

• Router. If your router’s ports (both WAN and LAN) are gigabit-capable, it will work fine as is. If the ports are limited to 100 Mbps, your speed will be capped at that rate, even if the line itself provides more. You can verify this by checking the device casing or the model’s technical specifications.
• Cable from the terminal to the router. For gigabit speeds, you need a twisted-pair cable of at least Category 5e, with all four pairs of wires connected. Older cabling often uses only two pairs, which limits the speed to 100 Mbps.
• Power outlet. The terminal requires a power source, so there must be an available electrical outlet nearby. If you plan to use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), make sure to set aside space for it as well.

Why this is important to us

Over the past few years, Maxnet has been consistently expanding its PON network. You can check whether your address is included in the list of connected locations by visiting our website. We continue to analyze subscriber reviews and gather feedback in order to increase the number of buildings connected via this technology.

Using PON technology gives providers the opportunity to improve the resilience of systems, stability of connections and reduce the cost of network modernization. Thus, the transition «benefits» not only the recipients, but also the service providers.

Subscriber convenience and satisfaction are extremely important to us, so we really hope that you will appreciate the benefits and become one of the subscribers to be connected by fibre to the flat.

Submit a request on the service page or call 0800-31-0700. We will check for PON coverage at your address and arrange a convenient time for installation.