- Leading telecom companies advocate for phasing out obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced fiber optic, wireless, and satellite technologies.
- The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program provides unprecedented funding to aid the transition and improve rural connectivity.
- Fiber optics offer superior benefits over copper, such as faster speeds, higher reliability, enhanced security, and lower maintenance costs.
Leading telecommunications companies, including Calix Inc (CALX, Financial), Corning Incorporated (GLW), and Brightspeed, have published a strategic paper titled "Meeting the Needs of Rural Subscribers for Generations to Come." The paper emphasizes the urgent need to replace aging copper networks with modern connectivity solutions, supported by unprecedented funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The study compares various communication technologies such as fiber optics, wireless, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and coaxial cable, assessing their ability to address current and future demands. Fiber optics are highlighted as offering significant advantages, including faster speeds, improved reliability, better security, and reduced maintenance costs. For regions where deploying fiber is not feasible, wireless and satellite solutions are recommended as effective alternatives.
Calix, a platform and managed services company, alongside Corning, a leader in materials science innovation, and Brightspeed, the third-largest fiber builder in the nation, underscore the importance of this transition. The timing is critical as the BEAD program—the largest broadband construction initiative in U.S. history—facilitates the deployment of high-speed internet to underserved rural communities.
Speaking on the need for change, Tom Dailey, Senior VP at Brightspeed, emphasizes the shift from copper to technologies that support modern connectivity demands such as work, streaming, and telehealth. Teresa McGaughey of Calix highlights the unlimited connectivity potential of fiber optics, while Bob Whitman of Corning underscores fiber's capacity to support evolving digital needs.
The paper makes clear that although copper networks have served communities well in the past, their technical limitations render them obsolete in meeting today’s high-speed internet requirements. This strategic shift to advanced technologies is vital for closing the digital divide, providing reliable connectivity, and supporting community growth in the digital age.
