Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1132978
54 I ICT TODAY The Role of Optical Fiber Optical fiber remains an integral part of today's wireless networks and will be a cornerstone of tomor- row's networks as well. A 2017 report by Deloitte Consulting LLP states that "Unlocking the full potential of 5G in the United States rests on one key assumption: the extension of fiber deep into the network." 5G promises higher mobile data rate speeds, including several hundreds of Megabits per second (MB/s) in urban environments and 1 Gigabit per second (GB/s) or higher in indoor environments, all of which will require supporting optical fiber networks that can meet capacity increases as wireless traffic grows. Without additional optical fiber network infrastructure deployments that reach deeper into metropolitan centers and edge communities, Deloitte's report asserts, "carriers will be unable to support the projected four-fold increases in mobile data traffic between 2016 and 2021." Due to the increase in wireless traffic, dark fiber network operators that deploy high-capacity optical fiber networks and then lease capacity (in the form of number of optical fiber strands) to customers ranging from enterprises to mobile network operators, have become significantly important in addressing wireless traffic growth. These optical fiber networks are only activated or lit when their customers need increased bandwidth. In the in-building space, it is practical to deploy extra optical fiber during renovation projects, knowing that the extra fiber capacity will be used as more connectivity is needed and more traffic runs across the network. CONCLUSION In today's mobile-first climate, connectivity inside buildings and across campuses is needed for people to feel safe and secure. In times of crisis, a person is much more likely to reach for a mobile phone than a landline phone to connect with first responders. Society continues to embrace smartphones for security reasons: mobile safety apps that alert family and friends, security systems that monitor activity at home front doors, and future applications that have yet to be imagined. A strong wireless infrastructure will be the cornerstone for those applications. Today's wireless networks and tomorrow's future networks rely on a variety of solutions, especially technologies and spectrum bands to bring robust connectivity to an ever-growing connected society. BIOGRAPHY: Tracy Ford is the executive director of Member Services for the Wireless Infrastructure Association, a not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to enable mobile networks everywhere. Within WIA is the HetNet Forum, which focuses on the role of small cells and distributed antenna solutions in densifying communications network infrastructure. Tracy can be reached at tracy.ford@wia.org. REFERENCES: 1. Figure 3 is used with permission of CommScope. © CommScope 2019. All rights reserved. CBRS technology uses the cellular LTE protocol, but it is similar to Wi-Fi in that it is shared spectrum.