ANALYSIS & OPINION: FTTH IN EUROPE
THE LARGEST PROVIDERS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE COST OF REACHING THE MOST REMOTE AREAS IS SIMPLY NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE FOR THEM
connection get leſt behind. Te pandemic has made this clearer than ever before, as regional lockdowns put added pressure on unreliable broadband connections. With many forced to work from home while
their offices are closed, individuals have relied on their home internet to carry on with their lives. While mostly successful on a national level,
research by Zen has revealed that more than four-fiſths have suffered from an unreliable connection. Tis is particularly prevalent in rural areas. Even so, a survey of Londoners aged 18 to 34
found that 55 per cent are considering a move to the countryside as a result of the pandemic. Cheaper housing, more space and the ability to work from home are key factors in this trend, which would not only help address the long-standing ‘brain drain’ in the countryside, but also provide a significant boost to local economies. However, the same survey, by the Country
Land and Business Association (CLA), also showed that areas which cannot meet the demand for fast internet access are less likely to atract new residents. So, how can progress in this area be achieved, and what role do altnets have to play?
www.fibre-systems.com @fibresystemsmag
Altnets can deliver Altnets are typically more nimble and focused than some of the major broadband suppliers, which is partially why they have enjoyed the exponential growth that has laid the foundations for their success. Te main opportunity for altnets to deliver
fibre to the premises lies between the cities and the areas where government funding is being rolled out. Te fact that the major players continue to focus on cities leaves much greater ground for transformation in rural areas. With the right priorities, cost structure and
technology solutions, altnets can improve the connection in the areas where others won’t go in 2021. Tis will mean taking a hyper-localised
approach and working with the communities themselves to accelerate the changes. By doing so, altnets will be able to improve the lives of the people who have been leſt behind by the major providers, as well as the regions in which they live in. Achieving this goal will be challenging, but it
will also be an opportunity for the new kids on the block to keep rural areas connected.n
Michael Armitage is CEO at Broadway Partners
Issue 30 n Winter 2021 n FiBRE SYSTEMS 25
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