BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/941352
EDITOR'S NOTE Broadband Communities (ISSN 0745-8711) (USPS 679-050) (Publication Mail Agreement #1271091) is published 7 times a year at a rate of $24 per year by Broadband Properties LLC, 1909 Avenue G, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Periodical postage paid at Rosenberg, TX, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Broadband Communities, PO Box 303, Congers, NY 10920-9852. CANADA POST: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Copyright © 2018 Broadband Properties LLC. All rights reserved. CEO Barbara DeGarmo / barbara@bbcmag.com PUBLISHER Nancy McCain / nancym@bbcmag.com E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F Masha Zager / masha@bbcmag.com E D I TO R -AT- L A R G E Steven S. Ross / steve@bbcmag.com ADV ER T ISING SALES ACCO U N T E X E C U T I V E Irene Prescott / irene@bbcmag.com E V E N T S CO O R D I N ATO R Dennise Argil / dennise@bbcmag.com CO M M U N I T Y N E W S E D I TO R Marianne Cotter / marianne@bbcmag.com DESIGN & PRODUC T I O N Karry Thomas CO N T R I B U TO R S Rollie Cole, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research David Daugherty, Korcett Holdings Inc. Heather Burnett Gold, Fiber Broadband Association Joanne Hovis, CTC Technology & Energy Michael A. Kashmer, Digital Broadband Programming Consultant W. James MacNaughton, Esq. Christopher Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance Henry Pye, RealPage, Inc. Bryan Rader, UpStream Network Craig Settles, Gigabit Nation Robert L. Vogelsang, Broadband Communities Magazine B ROAD BAN D PRO PE R TI E S LLC CEO Barbara DeGarmo V ICE PR ESIDEN T, BUSINESS & OPER AT I ONS Nancy McCain CHAIR MAN OF T HE BOAR D Robert L. Vogelsang BUSINESS & EDI TOR IAL OFFICE BROADBAND PROPER T IES LLC 19 09 Avenue G • Rosenb erg, T X 77471 281. 342.9 655 • Fa x 281. 342.1158 w w w. bro adb andcommunities .com masha@bbcmag.com | B R O A D B A N D C O M M U N I T I E S | w w w. b r o a d b a n d c o m m u n i t i e s . c o m | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 T he diversity of industry experts' perspectives always adds interest to writing – and, I hope, reading – the annual broadband forecast article (p. 40). Everyone sees the world from a unique angle, and each angle yields new insights. Here's a statement from one of our expert panelists that set me thinking: "We've solved the bandwidth problem. e technology is there today; there's no reason you can't deliver enough bandwidth to make people very happy." e speaker is Richard Holtz, CEO of InfiniSys, a leading authority on designing technology amenities for multifamily housing. (As usual, he'll be sharing his wisdom at the Broadband Communities Summit in May; don't miss his presentations there.) Holtz is referring to multifamily housing in particular, and he adds that there are still plenty of other problems to solve, such as security. Of course, he's correct. ere are now multiple solutions for delivering happiness-inducing bandwidth in multifamily housing, all of which involve putting fiber close to users. One of the newer solutions, G.fast, is the subject of an article on p. 26. ere are fewer solutions for single-family housing, but there are enough. So what makes the statement surprising? I'd guess that a sizable proportion of the public disagrees that "we've solved the bandwidth problem." at's because most people define the problem not in terms of whether a technical solution exists but in terms of whether they, personally, have access to bandwidth that "makes them very happy." BEYOND TECHNOLOGY Addressing today's bandwidth problem requires thinking about issues beyond technology. For example: • Affordability: Even in urban, multiple-dwelling-unit environments, where the costs of delivering good broadband are relatively low, residents' income isn't always sufficient to cover these costs. In rural areas, the problem is far more severe. Businesses too often must choose between uprooting themselves and struggling to pay for broadband. • Education: Property owners and state and local officials who are unaware of (or unsympathetic to) residents' broadband needs may stand in the way of broadband upgrades. In the long run, this strategy is self-defeating, but in the short run it harms residents. • The moving target: e amount of bandwidth required to make people happy increases each year as the benefits of broadband increase. What looked like a good technical solution a few years ago may not look like one today. at means any true solution must be future proof. Providers in the United States have made great strides toward modernizing their network infrastructure, and they continue to do so. But truly solving the bandwidth problem will require a national commitment to ensuring a world-class infrastructure. v The Bandwidth Problem What will it take to solve the problem?