ChannelVision Sept-Oct 2017

DeepDilemma The O bviously, there are a lot of things that must still come together before we realize a future when ultra-fast broadband can be accessed just about anywhere and billions of endpoints within the Internet of Things connect and interact in near-real time. Deloitte says we desperately need deep fiber, but the economics are tough Indeed, the “must-happen first” list is long and varied, but near the top of that list, argue ana- lysts at Deloitte, is the need for a huge invest- ment in and deployment of “deep fiber,” or fiber infrastructure that’s close to end customers. “Wireline broadband in the form of deep fiber and DOCSIS cable are para- mount to unleashing wireless innovation, IoT functional- ity, immersive entertain- ment and functionality yet unimagined,” said the research firm in a recent report on the topic. Deloitte estimates that the United States needs somewhere between $130 to $150 billion in fiber infrastructure invest- ments during the next five to seven years if we are to have any hope of achieving the prom- ises of uber-connectivity. By Martin Vilaboy Zettabytes Channel Vision | September - October, 2017 30