The Fiber Broadband Association made a number of announcements at its Fiber Connect 2024 meeting this week in Nashville. The Telecompetitor team was on hand at the conference to report on the news.
Here’s some important information about the announcements:
Sustainability Working Group
The Sustainability Working Group published a white paper focusing on analyzing the carbon footprint of FTTH versus HFC data over DOCSIS 4.0 networks. The conclusion is that carbon footprint of FTTH networks is lower than HFC networks.
Zayo is a good example of a service provider working to achieve environmental, social and government (ESG) milestones. Last year, the company said in its Sustainability at Zayo Report that, in 2022, they formally committed to Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi).
It developed a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, with much of the effort tied to offsetting its overall carbon emissions. Zayo is also consulting with its supply chain partners in an effort to reduce their emissions.
Deployment Specialists Committee
The Deployment Specialists Committee published a white paper titled “Accelerating Timelines of Utility Locates,” which reports the latest research from affiliated organizations. This includes best practice recommendations to optimize the timeliness of locating underground utilities, encompassing safety, health, and environmental considerations that are applicable across all construction facilities, worksites, and personnel.
Google Fiber also recognizes the importance of closely managing and coordinating construction. It offered six recommendations as state broadband offices prepare the great level of construction generated by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Fiber Connect 2024 Gigabit Study
A new study from the FBA and RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting confirmed that broadband users should subscribe to get the fastest level of broadband service (gigabit+) offered by their provider. This can lead to savings. The study also confirmed research that suggests that a gigabit or more of fiber broadband service could add $326 billion to its America’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The drive to higher speeds is in high gear, so to speak. Earlier this month, for instance, Frontier demonstrated the ability to 100 Gbps, 50 Gbps, 25 Gbps and 10 Gbps speeds were simultaneously on network.
The demonstration used Nokia’s Lightspan MF Fiber PON platform and Frontier’s quad band coexistence technology. Nokia claims this was the first demonstration of the technology in North America.
Broadband Market Workforce Needs
FBA and the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) announced their “Broadband Market Workforce Needs” study, which found that the amount of federal and state broadband funding will exceed the engineering, permitting, locating, and construction workforce capacity to absorb it.
There are many examples of the industry trying to create a robust and well-educated workforce. For instance, late last month — in the lead-up to Fiber Connect 2024 — the FBA announced that Central Maine Community College (CMCC) is offering the Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path) training program. The training will be offered in cooperation with the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce.
