We’re only a few days into the New Year and all we can say is the outlook is uncertain. The enthusiastic hype that has filled the news in the past with promises of 5G solving the world’s problems has turned to skepticism. “Smart” cities are being discussed as not such a smart idea anymore. The latest battles in the “pole wars” we’ve written about before now focus on placement of small cells for 4G/5G, not on installing aerial fiber optic cables.
This week, I read an article stating that 5G “gives developers the ability to scale up projects more easily because there’s no need to build extensive fiber-optic networks to keep data flowing.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, fiber is the essential backbone for all 5G networks to operate, for fronthaul, midhaul, backhaul, and the densification needed to network between small cells.
The world communicates on fiber optics. Fiber has become the communications medium of choice for telephones, cell phones, CATV, LAN backbones, security cameras, industrial networks, just about everything. Hundreds of submarine cables connect the world for data, voice and video. This reference guide talks about why we use fiber and the types of networks where they are deployed.
Last month, I wrote about how a newcomer could get started in fiber optics and learn the basics. What if you are already experienced in fiber optics and want to keep up with new technology? I can empathize with you. I have been in this industry a long time and have seen many changes. I learn new things often. To continue writing about fiber optics and creating technical references for others, I have to work hard to keep up.
The August newsletter from the Fiber Optics Association is now available.
The FOA has published a Special “25th Anniversary Edition of Lennie Lightwave’s Guide.” Lennie Lightwave was the mascot of the original Fiber U Fiber Optic Training Conferences back in the 1990s. Lennie’s Guide was printed and over 60,000 copies distributed. Now we’ve reprinted it for everyone to enjoy – with current updates of course – and in color!
