Stephen Mitchell
Did you know the typical U.S. household has, on average, seventeen internet-connected devices? According to research released last year at CES, homes are filled with devices—computers, phones, smartwatches, televisions, and tablets—that are constantly connected and each demanding bandwidth. The research shows that number has more than doubled since 2015. This surge in connected devices is part of the reason the cable industry has been working rapidly to upgrade networks and reliably deliver the never-ending stream of data that consumers demand. Now, many providers are turning to optical fiber, pushing it deeper into their networks to meet their needs.

Just 20 years ago, the concept of providing individual homes and businesses with fiber connections was groundbreaking. Today, that vision has become a reality; I started my career selling copper peds. At that time, fiber was mainly used for long-haul networks or getting connectivity to the nodes. Now, we’re helping customers deploy fiber directly to the home where they can choose 1, 10 or even up to 50 gig symmetrical service.

In recent years, there has been a race to upgrade networks and keep up with customer demand. Jason Lingo, VP of Technology, Policy, Products and Standards with Comcast recently told Fierce Network, “Most new builds today are choosing fiber to go right to the door. The large majority of areas we’re absolutely building fiber.” And there are good reasons for that. Fiber cable is superior to copper and older, non-preconnectorized cables in a number of ways, including virtually unlimited bandwidth, improved durability, and being virtually future-proof, and Corning has played a leading role making it easier and more cost-effective to deploy.

Cable Industry Challenges

When I talk to network operators across North America, here are three key challenges that have emerged as a recurring theme: the need for fast, cost-effective deployment; a shortage of skilled labor to get the job done; and the challenge of getting more high-speed data lines into existing spaces.

Network Deployment Speed and Cost Solutions

Preconnectorized solutions like Corning’s TAP Modules and Field Installable Pushlok™ connector are speeding up deployment compared to legacy solutions, with less room for error. Testing has shown these types of installations to be five times faster than traditional installations and splicing in the field.

Labor Constraints

Building out those networks requires a highly trained workforce, which is currently in short supply. That’s why Corning has not only developed products to speed up deployment, but championed fiber optical workforce training to equip technicians and network specialists with crucial skills for broadband networks.

Network Density

Deploying fiber in existing spaces is its own challenge. Installers are always looking for ways to reduce complexity and supply a denser new network of cables. Physical space for upgrades is at a premium. That’s where Corning’s high fiber-per-dense cable fits the bill. The cable, recently highlighted in a major announcement with AT&T, packs more capacity into major cloud data centers while remaining compact enough for existing ducts.

The Future is Fiber

The cable industry is anticipating a larger surge in demand for AI. Cable companies with access to edge devices are poised to capitalize on AI inferencing—shifting machine learning between the cloud and the edge. As a leader in fiber optics and AI connectivity, Corning is ready to help customers meet that demand.

Stephen Mitchell is Senior Vice President, Carrier Networks, for Corning Optical Communications. He leads sales and market development, driving access and growth. Prior to Corning, he spent over 20 years in the communications industry.