Forecasts for 2024 Fiber System: Three Key Trends in Broadband

As we look forward to the fiber optic market developments in the broadband landscape for 2024, it's estimated that North America will be the fastest-growing market due to several significant trends, such as the USA BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) program, increasing network capacity to support growing data demands, and network resiliency for reliability and future upgrade. All those make contributions to the growing fiber optic market in the United States. But how?

BEAD Program Requires Cost-effective Fiber Deployment

According to the government website, Broadband USA, BEAD provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access for broadband infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states. This provides a tangible blueprint for USA nationwide broadband initiatives, targeting people in underserved rural areas to have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. Now comes 2024, a year that is positioned as a pivotal year of transformation since BEAD initiatives kick off. Then, an uptick in fiber network planning and engineering activities is anticipated. The expansion of fiber optic cable deployment may be extended into suburban and rural regions due to their advantages of high-speed and long-distance transmission, for bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet.

However, high-speed fiber network expansion may confront various challenges. With the imperative to connect less densely populated (because of the United States' large land area), long-distance stable transmission and operational efficiency will be paramount. This necessitates shifts in the fiber deployment of flexible, reliable, and cost-effective technologies.

High Capacity Drive for Flexible Fiber Deployment

BEAD program drives demand for high-speed network capacity sky high, as residential service speeds surpassed 1G data rate and usage increases to keep pace with today's 5G applications. It can not be ignored that, the explosion of bandwidth or data-intensive applications such as cloud computing, generative AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), rely on fast, secure, reliable data transmission. As well as data-heavy leisure activities like video streaming and online gaming, all require the fundamental network infrastructure to have enough capacity.

This requires network providers to align network capacity with these advanced technologies to ensure optimal network performance and user satisfaction, enabling 10/40/100G or ever-faster broadband speeds. They need to seek flexible fiber network solutions for future upgrades when deciding on fiber architecture construction. Therefore, a strategic and forward-looking fiber cabling system, the basic construction for data transmission, will be paramount to fulfill the escalating demand for today's and tomorrow's high-speed and dependable connectivity.

Network Sustainability Requires Improved Fiber Deployment

Network sustainability is also important in the 2024 fiber optic market. As consumers increasingly embrace a more connected digital lifestyle, such as intelligent transportation systems and IoT-enabled utilities, the telecommunications industry has been continuously innovating and improving fiber optic cables to enhance their resilience and sustainability to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses. A sustainable fiber optic deployment can minimize long-term operational and maintenance expenses, avoiding unnecessary outlays on fiber infrastructure overbuilding or upgrades to meet customer demand. Compared to traditional copper cables, fiber optics require less power to transmit data, which leads to significant energy savings over time. And once fiber networks are deployed, there's no need to change cable infrastructure since they can be upgraded by changing light source technology.

This requires network providers to continually work on the improvement of fiber cable systems, such as resistance to physical stress to withstand high tension and bending, or protective coatings improvement to shield the fiber optic cables from moisture, dust, and other external factors, or multi-core fiber solutions for increased bandwidth and less installation time.

How FS Encounter 2024 Fiber Optic Market

FS is a customer-centric fiber cabling solutions provider, we look forward to supporting these trends and commit to innovation, continuous improvement of our products and services to exceed customer expectations.

FHD® Solution Provides Cost-effective Installation

To encounter the cost-effective and flexible cabling solution challenge, FS has put FHD® fiber cabling solution. It comprises a series of fiber cable tools like FHD® fiber panel, cassette and enclosure. All the fiber cable management tools are featured with modular designs. When installing FS fiber patch cables (multimode and single mode) or MTP®/MPO fibers, users can benefit from the simplification of overall wiring, and save time and effort.

FHD® Solution Is Ready for Flexible Upgrade

Customers also can use FHD® solutions for future network upgrades. For example, the MTP to LC fiber cassette can connect 25G via 4 LC fibers, and the other side connects 100G uplinks via MTP fibers. Users can enjoy easy upgrades instead of changing the existing cabling infrastructure. This will help them save upgrade costs and labor for installations.

FS Embraces New Technology for Customers' Need

To support today's large network capacity and sustainability requirements, FS specializes in high-performance fiber optic assemblies and components that bring increased density and improved performance in cabling.

MTP®/MPO Links for High-density Cabling

FS MTP®/MPO multi-core fiber cables are good examples. FS has and will continue to launch a series of MTP®/MPO fiber cables, including 8-fiber standard production products, armored types, and so on to support various scenario uses. The 8-fiber MTP®/MPO products are more cost-effective because the 8 fibers are 100% utilized without fiber waste. And MTP®/MTP to LC breakout cables can help bridge the gap between existing 10G or 25G systems and newer 40G/100G via FHD® fiber cassettes. This multi-core fiber cable solution improves high-density fiber distribution, and helps customers prepare for network upgrades.

MDC Connector Doubles Efficiency for Narrow Room Cabling

Besides, MDC connector-based products like MDC fiber panels, MDC to MDC fibers, and MDC to MTP® fibers have been introduced. The MDC fiber connectors belong to the class of VSFF (Very Small Form Factor) duplex connectors, which have 3 times the density compared to the LC standard, boasting exceptional packing density to support transmissions of up to 800G. This will greatly reduce the complexity of fiber cabling systems, especially in data centers limited by space.

Overall, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for the fiber optic market, marked by the BEAD program, the requirement for network capacity and sustainability. FS welcomes these trends and will continuously improve fiber solutions for a more efficient, and sustainable network future.