FEATUR E : FIBRE & FIBRE OPTIC CABLE
fibre. However, the difference in performance between copper-based FTTC and full-fibre FTTP is massive. Some might argue that wireless 5G will
negate the need for nationwide FTTP. However, the millimetre-wave frequencies on which 5G operates can only travel short distances, requiring a significant volume of base stations to relay the signal. Te incoming mass of 5G base stations will have to rely on full-fibre in the ground across the UK. Ending confusion and installing more FTTP is a great place to start, but there’s still a way to go.
country has fibre coverage, with 1.3 per cent of homes connected (FTTP). In contrast, Portugal boasts 99 per cent fibre coverage and 27 per cent homes connected; Spain has 98 per cent coverage and 44 per cent homes connected. Tere’s no point continuing to spend money
on copper cabling. Speaking at a recent industry conference in Cologne, I was joined by a panel of experts including Point Topic’s CEO, Oliver Johnson, who agreed that the costs associated with copper cabling have made it no longer worth investing in. Te UK government’s stated intention is to achieve full nationwide fibre coverage by 2033, but it also wants to be a world leader in 5G, with deployment to the majority of the UK by 2027. Not enough atention looks at the more
practical problem of full-fibre rollout. Te exponentially faster wireless speeds depend on fixed high-speed links to its base stations. 5G promises unrivalled mobile broadband speeds, more secure and reliable connections, ultra-low latency and enhanced network slicing – but only if connected by a high-capacity fibre network. Te thousands of extra micro cells that 5G will
need will all require their own fibre connection. Te sheer volume of fibre necessary to support even a city-wide 5G rollout makes geting fibre into the ground a priority. Ideas about futuristic 5G-enabled smart cities are all well and good – but the UK needs to put significantly more fibre
www.fibre-systems.com @fibresystemsmag
WHILE 5G IS EXPECTED TO DELIVER UP TO 1,000 TIMES AS MUCH DATA AS TODAY’S MOBILE NETWORKS, IT COULD ALSO CONSUME UP TO 1,000 TIMES AS MUCH ENERGY
into the ground first for these ideas to become reality.
So much confusion With just a small percentage of the UK covered by full-fibre, it’s telling that there’s a disparity between the advertising and marketing of so-called ‘fibre’ broadband services versus the availability of true full-fibre connectivity to residential customers in the UK. Most so-called ‘fibre’ broadband residential
services use copper-cabling from the cabinet at the end of the street to the customer’s house. FTTP connectivity requires much greater installation costs, as old copper cabling is ripped out of the ground and replaced by
Community approach As global investment in 5G continues to rise, markets that have already developed fibre capabilities will save billions in infrastructure costs. Sweden, for example, already has 91 per cent fibre coverage, with 44 per cent of homes connected. However, unlike the UK, fibre connectivity in Sweden is oſten driven by local authorities and district councils. Recognising not only the economic benefits, but the social value of enhanced connectivity, many Swedish local councils have driven fibre rollout, choosing to own the fibre infrastructure themselves. Tey adopt an ‘open access’ model with a partner fibre operator, in which they allow multiple service providers to access and use the network to deliver their own broadband services. Tis, in turn, lowers costs for the service providers, and encourages greater competition between them for subscribers. Te UK should shiſt its atitude and adopt
a new position regarding full-fibre, in order to prepare for 5G, and also to deliver the multitude of fibre use cases which benefit local communities. Many UK public sector organisations already
rely on fibre. Railway companies use it to control their signalling systems, and Network Rail owns a significant nationwide fibre network. Te potential to expand and profit from pre- existing fibre networks like Network Rail’s is underserved. Seting up fibre-connected 5G base stations along railway lines are the types of projects that the UK government can fund, and which will reduce the timescale of 5G rollout. Before it gets excited about 5G, the UK
government needs to properly focus on full-fibre. If it wants to keep pace with the technological progress we’re already seeing in countries such as South Korea and Sweden, the government must acknowledge the necessity of fibre. Tis includes its significant role as an enabler of 5G. Local authorities, in particular, must come to understand the economic and social benefits of full-fibre connectivity. Furthermore, the benefits to local economies, public sector services such as education and health, and people’s quality standard of living are considerable.
Jean-Jacques Sage, Nexans Time is of the essence with 5G around the Issue 24 n Summer 2019 n FiBRE SYSTEMS 21 g
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