Fibre optic networks are key to upcoming 5G deployment

Fibre optic networks are key to the upcoming 5G technology: this is the main message highlighted during today’s second NExsT Telecoms Forum entitled “Creating the Foundation of 5G and IoT”, hosted in New York City by Prysmian Group, world leader in the telecom and energy cable systems industry. 

With an ongoing investment plan of about €400 million in the period 2017-2020, Prysmian Group confirms its ability to meet customers’ increasing demand for optical cable solutions. A significant part of this investment is being implemented at the Group’s US facilities, and includes an increase in the production capacity of the new rollable ribbon cable FlexRibbon™, designed and manufactured in the US.

The NExsT event saw the participation of some of the major North American and worldwide telecom operators, independent associations, as well as institutions and regulators. Considering that the latest developments in smart cities, 5G, IoT, data centres and FTTx are set to change the world, the meeting focused around the theme of 5G and related topics such as: today’s main connectivity solutions; optical fibre and infrastructure issues; the type of technology, business applications, policies and regulations that need to be developed; product and technology innovation; the digital divide, and a lot more.  

“We are very glad to promote a high-quality discussion with key industry stakeholders about 5G and IoT. As confirmed today, 5G means low latency, speed, reliability, and only fibre can bring that. Building a dense and robust fibre network is a must to support the developments in the infrastructure required by this upcoming technology. We are therefore working with our investments, our industrial capacity and our innovation to bring the best solutions enabling this fibre rollout. This is particularly true in the US market that is at the forefront of the 5G technology” said Philippe Vanhille, Executive Vice President Telecom Business at Prysmian Group.

In the USA, Prysmian Group can boast a long-standing experience in the manufacturing of optical fibre and cable solutions for a broad range of applications. “The Group has five telecom production sites in the United States, four dedicated to manufacturing optical cables and one to optical fibres, thus demonstrating that North America is crucial in the telecom business strategy of the Group,” stated Massimo Battaini, CEO North America at Prysmian Group.

Prysmian Group will therefore continue steadfastly contributing to the debate about the foundation of the Gigabit Society, working to ensure that focus is maintained on the infrastructure needs that will ultimately satisfy the digital demands of worldwide citizens.