GEORGE MALIM IoT & FIBRE
broader than just backhaul, it’s about creating a seamless, scalable data fabric across regions. Whether connecting private wireless networks, small cells, fixed IoT sites or edge data centres, fibre is what ties it all together, especially across cross-border and long-haul routes.” Blackwell also sees new use cases making significant demands on fibre infrastructure. “We’re already seeing the availability of 800Gb connections, which will be critical for applications requiring fast, reliable data transmission via mobile connections, such as autonomous vehicles,” he says. “These systems depend on low-latency, high- bandwidth networks to function safely and efficiently while in motion. We will also see the deployment of localised private 5G cells to support IoT devices, with fibre connections providing the high-speed backhaul to central or edge data processing locations.” FIBRE ENABLES AIoT No technology conversation today excludes AI and it’s clear that AIoT – artificial intelligent IoT - is set to place significant demands on optical connections. “As AI is layered onto IoT, we’re seeing a dramatic shift in data gravity,” Roberts explains. “Fibre becomes not just a transport layer, but an enabler of real-time analytics, federated learning and automation at the edge. In practice, this means more demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth links between edge environments and hyperscale or regional data centres.” Technologically, the optical industry is rising to the challenge introducing innovations tailored to IoT’s demands for scalability and performance. Roberts singles out 400/800G wavelength
services, passive optical networks (PON), wavelength reconfigurability, ROADM and dark fibre offerings. “Each of these technologies supports IoT growth in different ways,” he explains. “400G/800G wavelength services enable scalable backbone upgrades to accommodate increasing IoT traffic. PONs, on the other hand, are used to deliver high-speed, reliable fibre connectivity directly to IoT deployment locations, which is particularly important for the last-mile connection between the network and the device itself.” “Wavelength reconfigurability and ROADM technologies give operators more flexible, dynamic routing options for IoT and AI traffic,” adds Roberts. “Dark fibre solutions offer enterprises and service providers the ability to build highly tailored IoT plus AI ecosystems with maximum control, capacity and security.” Blackwell concludes that fibre is preparing to handle the need for vast amounts of data to be transmitted over long distances at the latency demanded by many IoT use cases “Stable multiplexing signal transmission, or multi-input multi-output (MIMO), is going to enable much more data to be transmitted over long distances,” he says. “NTT Data recently completed a successful trial that allowed it to transmit 455Tbps over a distance of 53.5km.” The ability to transmit those volumes of data, over that type of distance, which is typical of an edge to data centre transmission, is a critical enabler of IoT use cases. Add to that the low latency needed for sensitive applications from AI to automation and healthcare to security systems and it’s clear that fibre is fundamental to the future success of IoT. including libraries, civic centres and other community spaces. This supports services such as public Wi-Fi and advanced surveillance systems while also enabling Ethernet connectivity for local business operations. Designed with future growth in mind, the network can scale up to meet rising bandwidth demands through a planned upgrade path to XGS-PON. “Our partnership with Adtran is central to our vision of delivering next-generation infrastructure to the City of Morrow,” says Rodney Gray, the chief technology officer of eCommunity Fiber. “Adtran’s fibre access solution enables us to support both municipal WAN applications and enterprise-class connectivity while
Steve Roberts, SVP Network Investment, Project Manager, Exa Infrastructure.
Dan Blackwell, Product Manager, Network & Security, Pulsant.
SMART CITY FIBRE DEPLOYED TOMORROW
also laying the groundwork for future broadband expansion. This network gives Morrow the flexibility to adapt as connectivity demands grow, ensuring businesses and residents have reliable, high-speed options.” Jeremy Harris, the vice president of North America sales at Adtran, adds: “With our platform, eCommunity Fiber is delivering flexible, future- ready broadband that supports everything from public safety to digital transformation for local businesses. eCommunity Fiber is establishing a robust infrastructure that will improve public services and drive economic growth across the region, creating a blueprint for other cities looking to modernise their digital infrastructure.”
The city of Morrow, in the US state of Georgia, has turned to fibre to power its smart city initiative. The city is being served by eCommunity Fiber to provide high-speed connectivity to municipal services, businesses and residents, enabling public safety applications and broadband services. The deployment uses Adtran’s fibre access platform to create a scalable, closed loop broadband infrastructure. The carrier-neutral solution provides the connectivity backbone for a range of smart city services to enhance Morrow’s public safety and accessibility. High-speed GPON connectivity is being delivered to key municipal sites,
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ISSUE 41 | Q2 2025
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