ETA Custom Print - May/June 2008 - (Page 6) “People want to be able to download music and video to their cell phones and check email from the road,” concurs Bill Woodward, FOI and author of the book Fiber Optics Installer and Technician Guide. “None of this would be possible if it was not for fiber optics. Fiber optic networks running in the background and invisible to the cell phone or PDA users supply all this data to the cell phone towers,” he explains. Karl J. Jacobi, MBA, PMP and President and CEO of Redwood Education Services, Inc. in Waterbury, Connecticut, adds that the exponential growth in the field of fiber optics is mainly because of the capabilities of fiber optics and its advantages over copper. “Technology is quickly advancing, as we now live in an information-driven world. Copper cabling cannot support the significant growth in demand for bandwidth. With fiber optics, VoIP now becomes available, (along with) faster Internet service, high definition TV, and much more.” Demand is being driven not only by consumers but from business and government, as well. “Each of these groups is playing a significant role in driving demand,” Jacobi concurs. “Surprisingly, there is more disposable income than most people believe. Consumers are spending money on items like Internet based security cameras, security lighting and home theaters. Fiber is the only way that they can get the benefit of using these new “middle class” luxury items,” he explains. “They also want the convenience of having one central place for control of all of these new ‘utilities’. In 6 | The High-Tech News | MAY/JUNE2008 C onsumers typically want what they want when they want it. And what they want is more information at their fingertips, more quickly, than ever before. The way to give it to them? Fiber optics. addition, consumers no longer want to deal with separate providers for voice, video and data. They want it all and they want it fast. With digital transmission, our TV picture comes in looking as if we were at the scene. Internet downloads and uploads are faster with fiber. Gaming online has improved with fiber. Their expectations have been set by the large telecom businesses that have announced that regardless of demand they are committed to bringing fiber to the premises.” Businesses are finding that using VoIP, even in their call centers, allows them to reduce expenses, Jacobi contends. And with fiber they have the bandwidth needed to take advantage of the new technology. “Luxury condos are trying to separate themselves from their competition by making the complexes “Fiber Ready”. Even the luxury hotels are trying to win more and more of the business traveler market by offering HDTV and quick Internet downloads.” A graphic showing a tight buffered breakout cable from the online Fiber Optics course offered by Redwood Education Services, Inc. by ErinHARRINGTON
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