Mar/Apr 19 - ChannelVision Magazine

Whether it’s to bring more bandwidth to custom- ers, deliver new and advanced IP and video servic- es, support growing mobile networks or eliminate amplifiers and other active electronic devices from networks, carriers and cable companies in all re- gions of the world aggressively added fiber in 2018. And 2019 promises to be no different. According to a survey in late 2018 by Heavy Reading for Incognito Software, nearly one-third (29 percent) of the more than 150 global service provider respondents – and 36 percent of re- spondents in North and South America – labelled fiber deployment as their company’s “top prior- ity right now,” while a significant 61 percent said that installing fiber was among their top priorities. Already, just more than three-fifths of carrier and cable companies have already begun to extend fiber deeper into access networks, with another 10 percent stating plans to start by the end of 2018 and nearly 20 percent intending to start in 2019. Activity is highest in Asia, where more than three-quarters of respondent say they have already begun deploying fiber deep into access networks. All told, at least 89 percent of providers from each region around the world is slated to have started laying more fiber by 2020. T he need for more and deeper fiber in access networks is undeniable. Research digs into the challenges of fiber builds By Martin Vilaboy BeyondtheTrench Zettabytes 40 Channel Vision | March - April, 2019