What is the purpose of a splitter in a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) fiber-optic network?

In a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) fiber-optic network, the primary role of a splitter is to connect multiple customer premises to a single host. A splitter takes the optical signal coming from a single fiber and divides it into multiple outputs, allowing for multiple connections to various endpoints or customer locations. This is particularly useful in situations where a single source of data or service needs to be shared among multiple users, such as in residential or business internet connections.

Using a splitter streamlines the deployment of fiber-optic services, reducing the need for multiple fibers running from the host to each customer location, which can lower installation costs and simplify the network architecture. In this way, it plays a crucial role in expanding accessibility and service delivery in fiber-optic networks.