ANALYSIS & OPINION: CONVERGENCE


THE TELECOM INDUSTRY NEEDS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION


is dependent on a dense cell site network and these cell sites need to be fed by a fibre optic backhaul. This requires extensive civil work, additional equipment, and upkeep of maintenance. This investment will cost billions of dollars. Unsurprisingly, many telecom providers


are reluctant to roll-out this new infrastructure, as they are in an extremely unfavourable position. On the one hand, huge commitments of both time and money are needed in order to upgrade or replace existing copper or 4G networks. On the other hand, revenue streams are flatlining since customers are not willing to pay extra for this state-of-the-art network. The true winners of these investments are companies like Google, Facebook and Netflix, which, backed by higher speeds and lower latency, can extend their services. The telecom industry needs to find a


solution to this unsustainable situation, and the magic word is convergence. At last year’s FTTH Conference, the FTTH Council Europe revealed the results of a new study which aims to quantify the potential cost savings that could be made by building converged 5G-fibre networks. We worked with the council on this study,


which focused on underground fibre network deployments, considering three types of areas: very dense (urban, city centre), medium dense (suburban, residential) and low dense (village), combined with three different types of cell densities. After analysing a variety of scenarios,


the FTTH Council was able to reach the conclusion that if a FTT-5G network is anticipated while planning for a FTTH network, the range of cost savings for the FTT-5G network due to convergence can reach between 65 and 96 per cent. Consequently, the extra investment on top of a FTTH network to make it 5G ready is in a range of 0.4 to 7.2 per cent. The scope of this study covers a greenfield


underground scenario, which is where cost saving opportunities are the highest. It is also achievable to leverage on a fibre network when it is already deployed. Considering


www.fibre-systems.com @fibresystemsmag


that also important savings can be made in rural areas, even countries which are leading on fibre deployment still offer high saving opportunities. I see three strategic roads that can lead to


significantly lower capital and operational expenditure, while still offering optimal service. For all of these, convergence is key.


Plan a complete network Data traffic will grow exponentially in the coming decades, with 5G being its key carrier. So, operators must think ahead and anticipate when they plan their fibre network. Deploying a converged FTTH/5G network minimises expenses in the long run, as both of these networks share a significant percentage of the same infrastructure.


Set differences aside, build one network Telecom providers are in a rat race to get to the customer first; all deploying their own infrastructure. But does this ‘traditional’ model of single physical network ownership still make sense today? The answer is no. Deploying a shared network will cut costs and open up the budget to increase the network’s capacity.


Build a bridge to other utilities Today, internet access is a basic utility. We rely on internet access as much as we do on electricity. Consequently, electricity companies are obvious allies as they already have an extensive infrastructure in place. Join together to build or upgrade your network to a fibre-5G-electricity network. This win-win situation is obvious. Electricity


providers and telephone companies share the investment burden and the telephone companies can use the existing infrastructure to get to places that perhaps otherwise would not be profitable for them to go. If the telecom industry can turn these


three strategies into a reality, operators and providers will face a much more positive future, with a network that will last for decades. n


Raf Meersman is CEO at Comsof Issue 26 n Winter 2020 n FiBRE SYSTEMS 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40