The ITU has begun the process of approving G.fast, a new standard that will allow for access speeds of 1-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) over copper telephone wires. G.fast (full name ITU-T G.9701) is expected to be a cheaper and easier-to-deploy alternative than FTTH and FTTC (fiber to the home and cabinet). G.fast is the technology that will finally bring super-fast broadband speeds to the masses who are stuck with copper wires for the dreaded last mile.