The Fiber-to-the-Home Council has begun a program to certify fiber optic broadband connections that reach all the way to subscriber homes.

Those providers who string fiber all the way to subscribers’ homes can be certified and licensed to display a Fiber-Connected Home badge to their subscribers. The Council says the intent is to help eliminate consumer confusion about what qualifies as fiber-to-the-home.

Fiber-to-the-node (or to-the-curb) will not qualify. Nor will hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. In fact, among top-tier providers, Verizon, of course, will be the only to qualify.

Perhaps coincidentally, Verizon announced it is the first to receive the right to use a Fiber-Connected Home certification badge.

Details on implementation of the certification process and lists of certified operators will be announced at the FTTH Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., October 2-5, 2006.