What type of FTTx topology does a PON use to connect between the headend and customer premises?

A Passive Optical Network (PON) utilizes a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) topology to connect the service provider's headend directly to customer premises. This topology is designed to deliver high-speed broadband access by running fiber optic cables directly into homes or businesses, offering a dedicated fiber connection that allows for efficient data transmission.

In FTTH, the passive optical splitter is employed to distribute the optical signal from the central office to multiple endpoints without requiring active electronic components along the fiber. This setup ensures lower maintenance costs and higher reliability.

While other choices like FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) and FTTN (Fiber to the Node) also involve fiber connections, they do not specifically denote the direct connection into homes as effectively as FTTH. For instance, FTTP includes connections to both residential and business premises but lacks the specificity that FTTH provides for direct residential access. Meanwhile, FTTN distributes content from a node that is still some distance from the home and typically requires the last mile to be completed using copper cables, which doesn't align with the inherent characteristics of a PON that is aimed at maximizing fiber use all the way to the customer's location.