The Fiber Broadband Association annually organizes its Fiber Connect event, one of the most significant gatherings in North America for network operators, infrastructure providers, suppliers, government and public sector representatives, and many others. Jan Buis describes some of the most interesting takeaways from the event.
1. YES, fiber has arrived and is vital for digital transformation in the US.
The network infrastructure market in the USA is on the brink of an exciting transformation. One of the drivers fueling this interest is the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program earmarked with USD 42.45 billion to accelerate the expansion of high-speed internet within the next five years. It’s not only the available funding but also a growing consumer interest. According to a study presented at the event, fiber is considered the best internet service delivery method for speed and reliability among 63% of all US consumers.
2. There are many opportunities, but we all have to do our homework – and collaborate.
Optimism is high, and the market opportunities are promising. However, it’s worth noting that it may take federal, state, and community governments at least a year to get everything in order. Some states are only just releasing their draft plans for public input. The opportunity for the industry, ISPs, and communities is enormous, but it won’t be without its challenges. There’s a question of whether we can meet the demands within the next five years. Skilled labor shortages and potential production capacity constraints for critical components like OLTs, ONTs, ducts, optics, and cables are real concerns. And with collaboration among ecosystem vendors, we can reach fiber ROI and a win-win situation.
3. Find smart choices by leveraging technology and benefitting from agnostic vendors.
Different business models, existing services, upgrade paths, and migrating from cable to fiber will continue to influence equipment choices for OLTs and ONTs. Choosing an OLT vendor will be an intriguing challenge; many offer different deployment methods. An agnostic ONT such as FiberTwist works with any OLT and offers many benefits. FiberTwist is cost-effective, saves installation time, and provides interoperability and flexibility. With FiberTwist, installations are do-it-yourself, and no service engineer needs to be sent out to install the active unit, making it a sustainable choice.
We have an exciting time ahead of us.
