VIDEO: Inside an all-optical Fibre-To-The-Room smart home

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Smart Home: Fibre To The Room (FTTR)
Smart Home: Fibre To The Room (FTTR)

Imagine a smart home where every room has lightning-fast internet, where your devices work seamlessly, and where even complex layouts no longer pose a problem for connectivity.

That’s exactly what Huawei showcased with their Fiber to the Room (FTTR) F50 solution at an assuming home in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town.

As someone building my own smart home, this was like stepping into a tech lover’s paradise!

Smart home, smart life in Bo-Kaap

Nestled in Cape Town’s vibrant and historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the smart home showcased a modern South African aesthetic.

WATCH: Fibre-to-the-room Smart Home

The setup supported over 100 Internet of Things (IoT) devices – from smart lights to automated kitchen appliances and even a state-of-the-art gaming system.

Some highlights included:

  • Living areas: Smart temperature controls and automated cleaning robots.
  • Entertainment zones: High-bandwidth support for 4K movies and VR gaming with zero lag.
  • Kitchens: Voice-activated smart speakers and energy-efficient air purifiers.
  • Offices: Tools for live streaming and ultra-wide monitor setups for professionals working remotely.

My takeaway? A home can be both beautiful and digitally intelligent.

So, what’s special about FTTR?

With FTTR F50, Huawei basically eliminates dead zones and ensures consistent speeds of up to 1Gbps across an entire home. You read that right…

And no drilling or heavy wiring was required!

The thin, adhesive fibre cables blend seamlessly into any design, delivering stable connections everywhere, from nurseries to entertainment rooms.

The self-bonding transparent fibre makes installation quick and painless while keeping power usage low.

Take a look:

Inside Huawei's FTTR smart home
Photos: Cheryl Kahla

One of the most impressive features is its green approach. From energy-efficient designs to durability against extreme weather conditions, this solution prioritizes sustainability without sacrificing performance.

The FTTR F50’s ability to handle up to 128 IoT devices at once ensures a smooth experience, whether you’re live-streaming from your home office or relaxing in the living room.

Smart homes: Why it matters

This isn’t just about cool gadgets. It shows what is possible when digital transformation is the focus.

Huawei FTTR Fibre to the room optical smart home
Huawei Fibre To The Room (FTTR) layout

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen increasing demand for faster, more reliable internet, and FTTR is paving the way for a smarter, connected future.

Whether it’s providing gigabit speeds to suburban homes or enabling cloud-based innovations, FTTR is a key driver of progress – both for the standard of living in Africa and for business opportunities.

A walk-through of this smart home not only inspired me to level up my own game but also made me excited for the future of digital living in Africa.

A future where seamless connectivity isn’t just a dream, but an everyday reality.

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