February 2023 Vol. 78 No. 2
Features
Fiber Experiences Record Growth in 2022
Jeff Griffin | Senior Editor
(UI) — As the year 2023 begins, the fiber optic cable industry hopes to build on a record year for deployment of fiber to the home (FTTH).
In 2022, a record number of homes (7.9 million) were connected to fiber, according to a survey made by RVA, LLC. That brings the total of broadband-connected addresses in the United States to nearly 40 million.
This data and other information was presented to members of the Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA) at its annual meeting in late December, by Michael Render, RVA founder and CEO.
Points in the “RVA Provider Study 2022” included:
- Fiber broadband has passed more than 68 million U.S. homes (homes that can be connected to fiber) – a 13-% increase.
- Fiber broadband continues to grow in market share.
- Fiber has passed approximately 48 percent of U.S households.
- Fiber take rates are stable despite increasing builds.
- Most fiber consumers are offered 1GB or more service.
Social impacts
The study identified five areas with statistically significant positive societal impacts from connection to fiber, according to the Fiber FBA/ RVA Broadband Consumer Study 2022: health, children’s education, sustainability, rural migration and entertainment.
Outgoing FOSA Chairman Dave Cunningham, of Network Integrity Systems, said the association and its members are committed to protecting our nation’s infrastructure with advanced, innovative technologies.
“Our technologies convert fiber optic cable into a dense array of distributed sensors. As a result, specific events can be detected at precise locations over very long distances, generating real-time alerts,” said new Chairman Paul Dickinson of Dura-Line.
“We look forward to continuing to expand the FOSA organization, as well as the optical sensing market in the coming year, as our technology solutions continue to grow in both capability and adoption.”
In addition to Dickinson, officers elected at the meeting were: Paul Baird, Prysmian, as vice chairman; Gayla Arrindell, Corning, as secretary, and Steven Koles, Hifi, as treasurer.
FOSA is a non-profit organization established in 2017 with the mission of educating industry, government and the public on the benefits of fiber optic sensing. Through webinars, videos, white papers, public presentations and public policy advocacy, the organization provides information on the use of fiber optic sensing to secure critical facilities, enhance public safety and protect the environment.
Information about FOSA is available on its website: www.fiberopticsensing.org.
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