Fiber Optics – The In-Demand Skill

We are sure you are aware Fiber Optics is becoming very popular for the installation of new networks, as well as for replacing the older networks with Fiber Optic Cabling.  Why are the larger companies doing this?  The answer is fairly simple.  Fiber Optic cabling allows for greater bandwidth, which means faster connectivity.  In this fast-paced day and age, the demand is for faster networks and faster connections to the Internet.  How much expansion is possible with existing networks is another concern. With Copper wiring, the network can exceed what the wires can handle, which means adding new wiring.  Fiber Optic cables can handle much more data, and is easily expanded. 

C-Tech’s September Tech Talk, featured a guest speaker from Hubbell Premise Wiring, who told us about networks being run into the plants and onto the manufacturing floors, in other words, “harsh environments”.  Unlike Copper Wiring, Fiber Optics can handle these environments because Fiber Optic Cables are immune from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Since it’s made of glass, it won’t conduct electricity.

 Now that we understand the reasons to switch to Fiber Optics, we can visualize why companies such as Verizon, Southwestern Bell and BellSouth are working to convert.  By the end of 2005 Verizon plans to run fiber to 3 million homes, and by the end of 2007, Southwestern Bell Communications plans to reach 18 million homes.  The conversion from Copper to Fiber will begin in new homes in the suburbs because it is easier and more cost-effective to do new installations as opposed to re-wiring.  In existing developments, they would have to dig up streets and homeowners lawns and gardens.  Verizon and the Bells have already started using Fiber in Texas, Florida, California and six Eastern states from Massachusetts to Virginia.  One day soon; they may be coming to your neighborhood. 

C-Tech can help you in training technicians that are able to do these installations.  You can see that Fiber is a high demand skill for Telephone Companies. Therefore, companies such as Verizon and the Bells will be looking for skilled technicians with Fiber Optics certification.  Many of the current telephone technicians will be retiring over the next 5-7 years, and since few are currently trained in fiber optics, the demand is there.  Let us work together in developing the future workforce for fiber optic technicians.