Why Fibre Should Be at the Heart of Operators' Connectivity Strategies

On Gimme Fibre Day, Phil Sorsky takes time to explain why now is the time to address the digital divide. For small businesses, reliable broadband provides the opportunity to reach a global audience – and could even be the difference between success and failure. For hard-to-reach individuals, reliable connectivity access can prevent issues such as social isolation. Read more to find out why fibre should be at the heart of operators' connectivity strategies.

Gimme_Fibre_Day

Access to superfast broadband and speedy 4G services – we all have that as standard, right? Well, actually no. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case across Europe. While those in larger metropolitan cities such as London, Brussels and Luxembourg might be lucky enough to have consistent, high quality connectivity, it is not an equal playing field for those in rural areas.

The role broadband plays as an enabler cannot be underestimated. For small businesses, reliable broadband provides the opportunity to reach a global audience – and could even be the difference between success and failure. For the elderly or hard-to-reach individuals, reliable connectivity access can prevent issues such as social isolation and loneliness.

With broadband and - increasingly - 4G mobile services becoming ever-present in many people’s everyday lives, it is critical that everyone across the continent has the same access to the opportunities it enables.

Addressing the connectivity challenge

One way the industry could seek to address this challenge is through Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology, widely considered the fastest and most reliable way to access the Internet. FTTH has the potential to open the door to a wide range of services and applications, both for entertainment and productivity, delivered right to the home or office.

Beyond broadband

While access to fibre will play a critical role in supporting the growth and development of small businesses, as well as connecting families and friends across the globe, we must not ignore the key role mobile coverage plays as well.

Whether inside a large building, a crowded area or even a rural region, operators must also consider the importance of access to speedy and reliable mobile phone coverage. Wi-Fi isn’t always available, and sometimes provides inconsistent and even unsecure access to networks, so therefore 4G must be available for consumers and businesses alike.

High speed fibre broadband and cellular connectivitysupports economic growth and an improved quality of life for everyone. And this should be available across all parts of Europe – no matter how rural or hard-to-reach.

With subscribers clamouring for more and more bandwidth and a higher quality of service, network operators must continue to look for faster ways to deploy high speed mobile and broadband networks – and fibre should play a key role as part of these pledges.

Today, 4 November, is Gimme Fibre Day. Now is the time to put fibre at the heart of your connectivity strategy!