Legacy copper networks are no longer the most
viable means to deliver the high-speed connectivity that families
and communities need to compete, thrive and grow in today's
world
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 23,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a group of leading
telecommunications companies published a strategic paper outlining
the advantages of fiber optic, wireless, satellite and coaxial
cable technologies for connectivity as copper networks across the
country continue to deteriorate and become obsolete. The paper,
"Meeting the Needs of Rural Subscribers for Generations to Come,"
is a collaborative effort among key players in the high-speed
internet service ecosystem highlighting the urgency behind the
expansion of broadband access and the need to phase out outdated,
legacy copper networks.
Three broadband industry leaders—Calix Inc (NYSE: CALX),
Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW), and Brightspeed—worked
together to author the paper. Calix is a platform, cloud, and
managed services company enabling broadband service providers to
simplify their businesses, innovate for their subscribers, and grow
value for their communities. Corning is a materials science
innovator and a pioneer in next-generation fiber, cable, and
connectivity solutions. Brightspeed, the nation's third-largest
fiber builder, is quickly empowering more homes and businesses with
high-speed connectivity. Collectively, they have a decades-long
legacy of making a positive impact on communities through their
work with broadband service providers —particularly those
communities left on the wrong side of the digital divide.
"Meeting the Needs of Rural Subscribers for Generations to Come"
publishes at a critical moment when broadband infrastructure
funding is at an all-time high due in major part to the Broadband
Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program—the single largest
broadband construction program in U.S. history. This historic level
of funding creates an opportunity now – more than ever – to bring
high-speed internet access to every community in America and close
the digital divide.
These unprecedented levels of grant funding, coupled with
providers' own strategic investment, will help connect communities
that have lacked quality options for high-speed connectivity as
they historically have been served by aging copper networks. The
overall goal – consistent with the national strategy for increasing
U.S. competitiveness, is to provide these communities with access
to alternative communications technology, especially fiber
broadband network connectivity.
"Meeting the Needs of Rural Subscribers for Generations to Come"
examines the most used communication technologies — copper, fiber,
wireless, low Earth orbiting ("LEO") satellite, and coaxial cable —
and evaluates the ability of each to meet current and future
application requirements and user needs. Readers will gain an
understanding of the current limitations of copper and how other
technologies are better positioned to meet and enable current and
future communication technology needs.
"For decades, copper served Americans well — providing the lines
of communication needed to reach our loved ones near and far. That
was before the arrival of new applications and use cases that need
higher speeds and more bandwidth," said Tom
Dailey, Brightspeed senior vice president, public policy,
government affairs and regulatory. "Now, it's time to invest in the
technologies that will serve Americans for decades to come by
providing the robust connectivity they need to connect to work,
stream entertainment, learn, receive telehealth and government
services, and fully participate in our hyper-connected world.
Copper is the past; fiber, fixed wireless and satellite solutions
are the future."
"Subscribers everywhere are focused on having a great broadband
experience—they want highly reliable connectivity that meets
today's needs, while ensuring they stay safe and protected from
digital threats," said Teresa
McGaughey, vice president of global field and partner
marketing at Calix. "Fiber optic networks provide unlimited
connectivity, enabling subscribers to work, learn, and play from
home without interruption—joining video calls while their children
complete school projects online. These future-proof networks
deliver seamless, secure productivity today and unlock a host of
exciting possibilities to add managed services that will enable
communities to further grow."
"As more of our lives take place in the digital world, it's
critical to phase out copper networks built for the landline era
and invest in future-ready technologies like optical fiber," said
Bob Whitman, vice president of
global market development, carrier networks, for Corning Optical
Communications. "With its virtually unlimited bandwidth, fiber can
support not only today's technologies like video streaming,
telehealth and remote work, but also AI, machine learning, and
cutting-edge applications that haven't yet been imagined. As the
inventors of low-loss optical fiber, Corning is helping operators
everywhere build networks that will serve the needs of their
customers for generations to come."
The strategic paper finds that, while copper has historically
been a foundational technology for voice and data services, its
technical limitations make it poorly suited to meet today's
high-speed internet demands. In contrast, fiber optics offer
faster speeds, high reliability, better security and lower
maintenance costs. For hard-to-reach locations where fiber is
not cost-effective, wireless options such as fixed wireless and low
earth orbiting satellites serve as excellent substitutes, providing
reliable and high-speed internet access.
About Calix, Inc.
Calix is a platform, cloud, and managed services company.
Broadband service providers leverage Calix's broadband platform,
cloud, and managed services to simplify their operations,
subscriber engagement, and services; innovate for their consumer,
business, and municipal subscribers; and grow their value for
members, investors, and the communities they serve.
Our end-to-end platform and managed services democratize the use
of data—enabling our customers of any size to operate efficiently,
acquire subscribers, and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is
dedicated to driving continuous improvement in partnership with our
growing ecosystem to support the transformation of our customers
and their communities.
About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading
innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of
life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled
expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics
along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to
develop category-defining products that transform industries and
enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained
investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and
process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with
customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's
capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the
company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping
our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries.
Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile
consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors,
and life sciences.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states,
Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services
through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million
homes and businesses. Our 4,000 employees are committed to building
a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life,
deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer
experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be.
For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telecom-leaders-unite-to-champion-next-generation-technologies-so-rural-communities-can-thrive-302435379.html
SOURCE Brightspeed
