Kobbernetværket

Kobbernetværket refers to the physical infrastructure of copper wires that historically formed the backbone of telecommunications networks. This network consists of millions of kilometers of copper cables laid underground and along poles, used to transmit voice and data signals. It was the primary medium for telephone services for over a century and played a crucial role in the early development of the internet through dial-up and DSL connections.

The copper network's main advantage was its widespread availability and relatively low initial cost of deployment, especially in established urban and rural areas. However, copper is susceptible to degradation over time due to environmental factors like moisture and corrosion, leading to signal loss and reduced performance. Furthermore, copper's capacity for data transmission is limited compared to newer technologies. Its ability to carry high-speed internet signals diminishes significantly with distance from the local exchange.

In recent decades, the kobbernetværket has been gradually replaced or augmented by fiber optic networks, which offer superior bandwidth, speed, and reliability. While fiber optics use light pulses to transmit data through glass or plastic fibers, copper relies on electrical signals. This transition is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet, video streaming, and other data-intensive applications that copper networks struggle to support effectively. Despite the ongoing shift, many areas still rely on the kobbernetværket for basic telephone services and some forms of broadband internet, especially in regions where full fiber deployment is still in progress or economically unfeasible.