High-capacity, end-to-end fiber optic networks now pass nearly nearly 20 million, or 17.4% of North American homes. FTTH networks are now providing Internet, TV and/or voice services to some 6.45 million, 650,000 more than was the case six months ago, according to research from the Fiber-to-the-Home Council released at the 2010 FTTH Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.
Along with Verizon’s $23 billion FiOS roll out, hundreds of smaller telecoms companies are contributing to FTTH expansion, according to the research, which was carried out by RVA Market Research. “All indications are that a large number of small and medium-sized telecoms and other broadband providers – more than 750 by our count – have either upgraded to FTTH or are in the process of doing so,” noted Joe Savage, President of the FTTH Council, a non-profit organization of more than 200 companies and organizations. “In addition, our earlier surveys show that the vast majority of the remaining telecoms are seriously considering going all-fiber in the next several years.”
FTTH networks have expanded 100 times since the FTTH Council was formed nine years ago, with growth showing marked acceleration since 2005.
