CIO OPINION
Ofcom ’ s recent research revealed that 1.5 million homes in the UK are still without efficient broadband .
connectivity could ultimately be the difference between success and failure , particularly for growing businesses looking to reach global audiences .
The education sector is another that is enhanced by the benefits of connectivity and many schools and universities are now using a public cloud service for network and device management . The rise of remote learning across educational institutions has meant that students today are now reliant on their institution ’ s Intranet to access files , and therefore these methods of storing and accessing data are more crucial than ever . Many campuses deploy dedicated Wi-Fi infrastructures that include physical copper and fibre connectivity – and it is important that all campuses across the country are fitted with the best quality equipment once restrictions fully ease and we enter the new normal .
Care homes and hospices are the most pertinent beneficiaries of connectivity . The elderly were typically the most disconnected during the ‘ old norm ’ and COVID-19 restrictions have only made the challenge of isolation from family and loved ones even tougher . For those without reliable broadband , the possibility of a Zoom call with family might be heartbreakingly out of reach .
Finally , the use of apps , such as the NHS app , to track people who have tested positive for COVID-19 has made connectivity not only a right but an imminent necessity for the easing of lockdown restrictions . In order for people to use these apps and ensure they ’ re effective , the majority of the population must have access to reliable and ever present wireless connectivity , regardless of their geographical location .
Closing the divide with technology
Delays in FTTH installations often occur in the last mile . That ’ s partially because traditional methods of placing and splicing fibre cables take time – especially due to the fact that splicing requires highly skilled labour , which can be hard to find . Luckily , there is a whole host of new streamlined and cost-effective solutions that operators can turn towards to improve the speed and cost of fibre rollouts , and therefore get all areas of the country onto a level playing field when it comes to connectivity .
To speed up installation time and reduce the overall amount and length of fibre placed , innovative service providers are transitioning to fibre indexing in their FTTH distribution networks . With this approach , connectorised cables and terminals are placed with the same components , daisy-chained together in a plug-and-play fashion . That way , the fibre cabling and integrated service terminals can be deployed quickly , more easily and with a lower cost of labour .
The past year has been a truly unprecedented time , posing challenges across all areas of society . As we move forward and restrictions continue to lift , connectivity might just end up being the foundation from which we build our nationwide fightback . p
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