FTTH


housing plans was slightly less of a concern following the December 2021 proposed amendments to the Building Regulations mandating that all new builds are equipped with gigabit-capable connectivity from the outset, which come into force on 26 December 2022. Alex Blowers, Chairman at INCA, commented


on the launch of the report: “Tis report shows the increasing maturity of the independent broadband sector. It is now transitioning from fundraising and planning mode to delivery and execution stage and is undeniably a key partner in the delivery of a 21st century digital UK. It is now crucial the government and Ofcom ensure momentum is maintained, by evolving the underlying policy and regulatory framework in support of the infrastructure competition that has now arrived in the UK.”


FTTH in America Moving to the USA, Gary Bolton, President and CEO at the US Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), feels that 2023 will be a banner year for fibre. He says: “An unprecedented, once-in-a-generation effort is gearing up between national and local governments to close the digital divide. During the next five years, more than $100bn in public funding will be invested in broadband networks for unserved and underserved communities, with fibre making up the vast majority of new last-mile networks. Significant private capital is also being invested to replace or supplement aging telecom and cable plants across the country in both rural and urban setings to enable incumbent operators to stay competitive with fibre.” Bolton notes that fibre is the recognised choice


for future-proof, easily upgradable infrastructure to replace legacy copper and coax networks, and that it delivers long-term economic benefits for communities. He continues: “All major American


telcos are commited to fibre as a long-term solution, while the cable industry recognises fibre as essential to delivering symmetrical broadband services on their path to 10Gb/s and beyond. Nokia and other vendors have demonstrated the ability to upgrade today’s 10Gb/s fibre networks to 25Gb/s, and to 100Gb/s in the near future, providing an affordable path to applications we haven’t even created.” However, Bolton also admits that, in fairness,


fibre’s success has its challenges. “Supply chain issues from the pandemic continue to be an area of concern,” he says, “Although fibre and equipment manufacturers are stepping up to increase production to meet the needs of the next five years, with forward-looking companies opening new facilities both in the United States and in other regions. More local US production will alleviate short-term shortages and likely lower supply pricing over the long term. In addition, fibre manufactures have announced new


“


Fibre and equipment manufacturers are stepping up to increase production to meet the needs of the next five years”


fibre manufacturing facilities in Europe, such as Corning’s new plant in Warsaw, so that all of the US domestic production can be directed to satisfy domestic demand.” Te ever-present issue of maintaining a skilled


workforce is another area of concern FBA and others are addressing. Bolton explains: “Te fibre industry will need up to 850,000 new skilled technicians to plan, build, install and maintain the networks being built over the next five years. FBA has created the OpTIC Path training curriculum to provide the needed hands-on skill training necessary for new fibre technicians to be ready to perform their duties when they show up for their first day of work. We and our industry partners are working to rapidly bring this much-needed curriculum to trade schools, community colleges and other organisations to make sure the industry has the skilled labour necessary in the years to come.” Te FBA also continues to work with federal,


state and local officials to improve legislation and regulation for building and operating fibre networks, as well as making sure communities are actively engaged in the process of delivering broadband to everyone. Bolton states: “Te ultimate success of closing the national digital divide is dependent upon strong local community engagement and leadership to make sure no household is leſt behind.” n


12 Fibre Yearbook 2023


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