T-Mobile US tops 100 million customers

T-Mobile US announced its second quarter 2024 results, showcasing exceptional customer growth and financial performance. The company achieved industry-leading postpaid net account additions and surpassed the 100 million postpaid customers milestone. Additionally, T-Mobile reported the highest Q2 postpaid phone net customer additions in its history, underlining its market dominance.

Financially, T-Mobile's service revenues grew by 4% year-over-year, reaching $16.4 billion, while postpaid service revenues saw a 7% increase. The company's net income soared by 32% to $2.9 billion, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 34% to $2.49. The impressive financial growth translated into record-high cash flows, with adjusted free cash flow growing 54% year-over-year to $4.4 billion.

T-Mobile's network performance also stood out, sweeping every category for overall network performance in the latest third-party reports. The company continued to expand its 5G network, carrying 87% of its 5G traffic on sites with three spectrum layers. T-Mobile's recent proposed acquisition of Metronet aims to complement its fixed wireless offerings and capitalize on fiber opportunities, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.

Key Points:

• Customer Growth:

  • Postpaid net account additions: 301,000
  • Postpaid net customer additions: 1.3 million
  • Postpaid phone net customer additions: 777,000
  • High-speed internet net customer additions: 406,000

• Financial Performance:

  • Service revenues: $16.4 billion (4% YoY growth)
  • Postpaid service revenues: $12.9 billion (7% YoY growth)
  • Net income: $2.9 billion (32% YoY growth)
  • EPS: $2.49 (34% YoY growth)
  • Core adjusted EBITDA: $8.0 billion (9% YoY growth)
  • Net cash from operating activities: $5.5 billion (27% YoY growth)
  • Adjusted free cash flow: $4.4 billion (54% YoY growth)
  • Returned $3.0 billion to stockholders in Q2 2024

• Network Performance:

  • Swept all categories for overall network performance in third-party reports
  • 87% of 5G traffic carried on sites with three spectrum layers
  • Proposed acquisition of Metronet to enhance fiber offerings

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#FiberConnect24: Fiber's Access Future from 10G to 100G - Nokia

 How is fiber technology evolving to meet future demands? Look ahead!

Stefaan Vanhastel, Head of Marketing & Innovation from Nokia explains:

- Fiber infrastructure is built to last 100 years, passing every home and building for generations

- Current 10 Gig era is expanding to include 25 Gig, 50 Gig, and 100 Gig options for diverse operator needs

- Advanced chipset technology enables higher speeds, supporting new services beyond fiber-to-home networks

https://youtu.be/59Fp_Tke-7s

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#FiberConnect24: Core to Edge Performance Evolution - Adtran

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is fiber technology evolving to meet future network demands? Which segment of the network feels the heat next?

Robert Conger, SVP, Technology and Strategy from Adtran explains:

- Core DWDM technology is miniaturizing into small plugs, moving coherent DWDM to the network edge

- Access networks are transitioning from gigabit to multi-gig era, with 10G PON and future 50G PON technologies

- Intelligent network monitoring and cloud-based analytics are optimizing performance and improving subscriber experience

https://youtu.be/zT0bXlk9Idc

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#FiberConnect24: Innovation for Challenging Fiber Installations - DZS

 How can service providers accelerate fiber deployment in challenging areas?

Geoff Burke, Chief Marketing Officer from DZS, gives us the rundown:

- Fiber extension technologies like G.fast and MG.fast offer symmetrical gigabit services for MDUs and historically challenging locations

- Fixed wireless access provides a cost-effective gigabit-ready solution for remote areas, with 45-60% lower deployment costs than fiber

- Hardened coherent optics deliver 100-400 Gig connectivity to the network edge, supporting robust middle-mile infrastructure for fiber deployments

https://youtu.be/gZ0Pfzmf9-A

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#FiberConnect24: 10-Second ONT Installation for Fiber Rollouts - Genexis

How can we ensure smooth fiber broadband installation in every home?

Kajsa Arvidsson, Chief Marketing Officer from Genexis explains:

- Smart installation of fiber in the home using ONTs that can be installed in less than 10 seconds

- Interoperable ONTs that work with any OLT in the market, making installation easy to learn and even suitable for DIY

- All-in-one solution with connectors for cable TV, voice, and multiple ports to distribute fiber throughout the home

https://youtu.be/_1qGIRpYw1M

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#FiberConnect24: 4 Ingredients for Faster Fiber Deployment - Render

 Render Networks has expanded its mobile application suite and device compatibility, reinforcing its leadership in construction management and enabling network and construction teams to complete projects at least 15% faster. This update promotes a mobile-first strategy, allowing field crews to document, finalize builds, and perform maintenance using their preferred smartphones or tablets, enhancing adoption and productivity by over 20% through real-time data capture and task clarity.

Key Points:

Flexible Device Choice: Supports both Apple and Android devices, enhancing field crew adoption.

Improved Productivity: Increases daily production by more than 20% through real-time data capture and task management.

User-Friendly Interface: Simplified interface for managing workloads, editing tasks, and tracking progress.

Accurate As-Builts: Industry-leading digital redline capability ensures precise documentation of completed work.

Addressing Industry Challenges: Supports NTIA’s BEAD funding goals by enhancing workforce efficiency amid a skilled technician shortage, helping to connect more communities to reliable broadband.

https://youtu.be/m15V95R99PM

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How can we accelerate our fiber future?

Sam Pratt, CEO from Render Networks explains:

- Frictionless field adoption enables construction teams to access essential information effortlessly
- Clear construction scope ensures tasks are completed in the correct sequence
- Real-time visibility and insights allow for better resource allocation in a supply-constrained environment

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: DC Blox on Lessons from Hyperscalers

 Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How are hyperscalers reshaping internet infrastructure and what impact do they have on fiber deployments?

Bill Thomson, Marketing and Product Management from DC Blox shares these insights:

- Hyperscalers are building large data centers to move infrastructure and services closer to end users in specific regions

- They are also developing dark fiber capacity to connect these data centers, effectively rebuilding the internet in their own image

- Traditional telecom-based networks are insufficient in capacity and reach for hyperscalers' needs, driving the demand for new dark fiber infrastructure

https://youtu.be/7lwXCCclN2g

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Dell'Oro: Network Security Market to Hit $40B by 2028

The worldwide network security market, including firewall, SSE, traditional SWG appliance, WAF, and ADC segments, is expected to grow to nearly $40 B by 2028, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. This growth is driven by a significant shift in enterprise security spending towards cloud-based Secure Service Edge (SSE) and Web Application Firewall (WAF) solutions, which are forecasted to achieve mid-teen double-digit CAGRs, in contrast to the single-digit CAGR projected for traditional firewall solutions.

“We’re seeing a major pivot in how enterprises approach security, with SSE and SaaS-based WAF solutions taking center stage due to their superior flexibility and scalability as cloud-delivered solutions,” said Mauricio Sanchez, Sr. Director, Enterprise Security and Networking at Dell’Oro Group. “As organizations increasingly embrace cloud-first strategies and digital transformation, these advanced security models are becoming indispensable, driving rapid market growth,” added Sanchez.

Additional highlights from the Network Security 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

SSE Market: The SSE market is anticipated to surpass $10 B by 2028, with a double-digit CAGR. This robust growth is driven by the increasing transition of security perimeters to cloud-based services, catering to the needs of distributed applications and hybrid work models.

WAF Market: Driven by the increased emphasis on digital transformation initiatives and the necessity of securely deploying enterprise applications on the Internet, the WAF market is projected to grow robustly. It is expected to reach nearly $6 B by 2028, reflecting a double-digit CAGR.

Firewall Market: The Firewall market is projected to grow at a single-digit CAGR, reaching over $19 B by 2028. While near-term softness is expected as the market corrects from the pandemic-induced surge, a new refresh cycle is anticipated to alleviate this, though it won’t be as strong as the post-pandemic boom.

Form Factor Shift: SaaS and virtual-based solutions are expected to grow at a 16 percent CAGR, compared to 6 percent for physical appliances. By 2026, SaaS and virtual-based solutions are projected to account for over half of the Network Security market.

https://www.delloro.com/news/network-security-market-to-hit-40-b-by-2028-with-cloud-based-solutions-driving-the-growth/

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Dell'Oro: Broadband Equipment Spending Expected to Grow

Broadband Access Equipment market is forecasted to grow 2 percent on average for the next five years (2024-2028) due in part to lower spending in 2024 as operators continue to absorb excess inventory and, in the case of Tier 1 cable operators, dramatically slow their purchases of new DOCSIS CPE, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group.

“Most service providers are taking a conservative approach to 2024, choosing to rely on existing inventory as they receive mixed signals on inflation, consumer spending, and new home construction,” said Jeff Heynen, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group. “2025 is shaping up to be a rebound year for spending, driven by ongoing fiber network expansions as well as cable DAA upgrades,” added Heynen.

Additional highlights from the Broadband Access & Home Networking 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

• PON equipment revenue is expected to grow from $11.1 B in 2023 to $12.9 B in 2028, driven largely by XGS-PON deployments in North America, EMEA, and CALA, as well as FTTR (Fiber to the Room) and 50 Gbps deployments in China.
• Revenue for Cable Distributed Access Equipment (Virtual CCAP, Remote PHY Devices, Remote MACPHY Devices, and Remote OLTs) is expected to peak at $1.2 B in 2027, as operators continue their DOCSIS 4.0 and early fiber deployments.
• Revenue for Fixed Wireless CPE is expected to reach $2.6 B by 2028, led by shipments of 5G sub-6 GHz and a growing number of 5G millimeter wave units.
• Revenue for Wi-Fi 7 residential routers and broadband CPE with WLAN will reach $8.4 B by 2028, as the technology is rapidly adopted by consumers and service providers alike.

https://www.delloro.com/news/broadband-equipment-spending-expected-to-grow-at-2-percent-cagr-over-next-five-years-according-to-delloro-group/

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STL Unveils High-Density 864F Micro Cables for US Fiber Networks

STL introduced its high-density 864F Micro Cables, designed to enhance connectivity in dense fiber networks across the US. These innovative cables offer superior fiber density, efficient installation, and sustainability benefits.

Key Points:

• Ultra-high fiber density: 1.5X more fibers in the same diameter; easy installation up to 1500m in 14mm ducts.
• Longer network life: Bend-insensitive 200-micron fiber increases power budget, reduces maintenance, and speeds up installation.
• Sustainable and cost-saving: Uses 40% less plastic, cutting civil costs by up to 70%.
• Easy to install: Slim outer jacket and reduced form factor enable tighter coiling and easier fiber bundle access.
• Additional product: Intelligently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) Armored cable ensures easy installation and excellent splicing outcomes.
• Local production: STL’s South Carolina facility supports federal and private broadband projects, including the BEAD Program.

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Marvell intros Structera CXL for Enhanced Memory Performance

 Marvell introduced its new Structera product line of Compute Express Link (CXL) devices, aimed at resolving memory performance and scaling challenges in cloud data centers. These devices are designed to enable cloud operators to efficiently add memory to general-purpose servers, addressing the inefficiencies and high costs associated with memory-intensive applications. By leveraging the CXL industry standard, Marvell's Structera line allows for the creation of new architectures that enhance memory bandwidth and capacity without the need for additional servers.

The Structera product line includes two families of CXL devices tailored to specific use cases. The Structera A CXL near-memory accelerators integrate server-class processor cores and multiple memory channels to cater to high-bandwidth applications such as deep learning recommendation models (DLRM) and machine learning. The Structera X CXL memory-expansion controllers, on the other hand, are designed to add terabytes of memory to general-purpose servers, supporting high-capacity applications like in-memory databases. These products, which are the first in the industry to support four memory channels and utilize 5nm manufacturing processes, also incorporate inline compression for enhanced performance.

Marvell Structera A 2504

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 x16
• Four channels of DRAM DDR5 6400 MT/sec  
• Two memory DIMMs per channel (2DPC) support
• 16 Arm Neoverse V2 cores at 3.2 GHz 
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression 
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption 
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

Marvell Structera X 2404

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 1 x16 or 2 x8
• Four channels of DRAM DDR4 3200 MT/sec 
• Three memory DIMMs per channel (3DPC) support
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

Marvell Structera X 2504

• PCIe 5.0/CXL2.0 1 x16 or 2 x8
• Four channels of DRAM DDR5 6400 MT/sec 
• Two memory DIMMs per channel (2DPC) support
• Inline LZ4 compression and decompression
• Inline AES-XTS 256-bit encryption and decryption
• Embedded hardware security module and secure boot

“Our new Structera CXL product line will be a game-changer in enabling optimal resource utilization and lowering energy consumption for scaling memory-intensive workloads in the cloud,” said Raghib Hussain, president of products and technologies at Marvell. “Marvell is delivering on the promise of CXL and our commitment to customers to help them solve their most challenging issues. CXL will continue to be a critical technology enabler for accelerated infrastructure across our compute, connectivity and storage portfolios.” 

Sampling is expected in Q4.

https://youtu.be/0OMKdlf5_fw

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Lumen reserves 10% of Corning’s global fiber capacity to connect AI data centers

As part of its Q2 financial report, Corning announced that Lumen Technologies has reserved 10% of Corning’s global fiber capacity for each of the next two years to interconnect AI-enabled data centers.  This will be the first outside-plant deployment of Corning’s new generative-AI fiber and cable system, which enables Lumen to fit two to four times the amount of fiber into their existing conduit.

The news led to a huge jump in Lumen's stock price on Tuesday.

Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Our strong second-quarter results exceeded the guidance we provided in April and marked a return to year-over-year core sales and EPS growth. The outperformance was driven primarily by the strong adoption of our new optical connectivity products for generative AI, which drove record sales in the Enterprise portion of our Optical Communications business. The opportunity is only growing; in fact, in the third quarter, we reached an agreement with Lumen Technologies that uses our new gen-AI fiber and cable system to facilitate Lumen’s build of a new network to interconnect AI-enabled data centers.”

Second-Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

• GAAP sales were $3.25 billion. Core sales were $3.60 billion.
• GAAP EPS was $0.12, and core EPS was $0.47. The difference between GAAP and core EPS primarily reflected constant currency adjustments, translated earnings contract gains, and translation gains on Japanese-yen-denominated debt, as well as restructuring and non-cash asset write-off charges.
• GAAP gross margin was 29.2%. Core gross margin improved sequentially and year over year by 110 and 170 basis points, respectively, to 37.9%.
• GAAP operating cash flow was $521 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $353 million.

In Optical Communications, second-quarter sales were $1.1 billion, up 20% sequentially, marking a return to growth. Year over year, sales increased 4%, reflecting record sales in the Enterprise portion of the business, which was up 42%, driven by AI-related connectivity solutions. Second-quarter net income was $143 million, up 43% sequentially, driven by strong incremental profit on the higher volume.

https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2024/Corning-Reports-Strong-Second-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results-Exceeding-April-Guidance-and-Marking-Return-to-Year-over-Year-Sales-Growth/default.aspx

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#FiberConnect24: Key Priorities for Accelerating the Fiber Future

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is fiber broadband accelerating our future?

Gary Bolton, President from Fiber Broadband Association explains:

- Fiber is critical infrastructure for building our future, beyond just meeting minimum speeds
- Accelerating deployment is crucial, as speed reduces costs and inefficiencies
- Protecting the network through trusted fiber initiatives and collaboration with security agencies is essential.

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: Fiber's Role in Connecting Rural America

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How can fiber infrastructure bridge the digital divide in rural America?

Jimmy Todd, CEO from Nex-Tech explains:

- Fiber is crucial for connecting unserved and underserved rural communities, preventing disparities between urban and rural areas
- Funding programs like BEAD, ARPA, and USDA grants need to consider population density and high-cost thresholds when allocating resources for rural fiber deployment
- Streamlining permitting processes and addressing challenges like terrain and distance is essential to accelerate rural fiber connectivity

https://youtu.be/i1eW_0oxeXY

Want to be involved our video series? Contact info@nextgeninfra.io

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#FiberConnect24: Innovative Tools for Faster Fiber Rollouts

Check out the rest of Fiber Connect 2024 showcase here: https://ngi.fyi/fiberconnect24yt

How is Clearfield helping the broadband providers to overcome the barriers and Accelerate our Fiber Future?

Cheri Beranek, President and CEO from Clearfield explains:

- Introducing "BILT," a mobile app providing 3D images for on-site education and support
- Focusing on reducing operational expenses (Opex) in network construction through innovative product designs
- Developing solutions like the "Deploy Reel TAP" box to minimize labor requirements and skill levels needed for technicians

https://youtu.be/x-JsFO3wsbo
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Arista reports Q2 sales of $1.69 billion, up 15.9% yoy

Arista Networks reported the following Q2 2024 numbers:

• Revenue of $1.690 billion, an increase of 7.6% compared to the first quarter of 2024, and an increase of 15.9% from the second quarter of 2023.
• 
  GAAP gross margin of 64.9%, compared to GAAP gross margin of 63.7% in the first quarter of 2024 and 60.6% in the second quarter of 2023.
• Non-GAAP gross margin of 65.4%, compared to non-GAAP gross margin of 64.2% in the first quarter of 2024 and 61.3% in the second quarter of 2023.
• GAAP net income of $665.4 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $491.9 million, or $1.55 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2023.
• Non-GAAP net income of $672.6 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $501.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2023.

“On the heels of our June celebration of 10 years as a public company, I would again like to thank our customers, employees and partners for contributing to our success as we arrived at this important milestone,” said Jayshree Ullal, Chairperson and CEO of Arista Networks. “Our Q2 2024 financial results demonstrate Arista's powerful combination of growth, profitability and best of breed platforms.”

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Dell'Oro: Campus Switch Revenues to Plunge in 2024

Campus Switch sales hit a stratospheric high in 2023 but are expected to come sharply back down to earth in 2024, contracting by 16 percent, according to a new report fro Dell’Oro Group. The report predictsa 6 percent rebound in Campus Switch revenues in 2025, and then steady growth until 2028.

“Vendors backlogs are now normalized,” said Siân Morgan, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “Manufacturers are back to generating new demand instead of relying on backlogged orders for revenues.

“The Campus Switch market is in a lull, following on from the record levels of revenues experienced in 2023.  However, we expect that digital transformation projects and WLAN upgrades will return the Campus Switch market to growth in 2025.  While we see a risk of IT spending shift to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the enterprise, the AI revolution will also drive some network upgrades,” added Morgan.

Additional highlights from the Ethernet Switch – Campus 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report:

• AIOps features remain pivotal for vendors striving to enhance their competitive positioning in the Campus Switch market. These features will help boost prices between 2024 and 2028.
• The adoption of 2.5/5.0 Gbps ports, and ports supporting PoE (Power over Ethernet), will be driven by sales of the next generation of WLAN and IoT devices.
• Hybrid work models being adopted by enterprises will put both downward and upward pressures on Campus Switch spending.
• The share of Campus Switch revenues from sales to enterprises in China is expected to increase in the period between 2023 and 2028.

https://www.delloro.com/news/campus-switch-revenues-will-plunge-in-2024/

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Fiber Connect 2024: A Vision for America's Fiber-Connected Future

Nashville, TN - Gary Bolt, President of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), kicked off the Fiber Connect 2024 conference with a speech that underscored the significant progress and future potential of fiber broadband in the United States. Held in Nashville, this year's conference attracted a record 5,000 attendees, marking an annual growth of approximately 1,000 attendees over the past four years. Bolt emphasized the conference's goal to elevate the event to the world's premier fiber broadband gathering, reflecting on recent successes and setting ambitious targets for the future.

Bolt shared his recent experience hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, using the ancient city as a metaphor for the engineering marvels and legacy that today's fiber broadband initiatives aim to create. He highlighted the incredible engineering achievements of the Incas, drawing parallels to the ambitious goal of connecting every American with fiber broadband by the end of the decade. This vision, he argued, is within reach, given the advancements and opportunities presented since the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill by President Biden in November 2021.

The speech detailed the Fiber Broadband Association's (FBA) efforts to address workforce development, an essential component of the fiber broadband expansion. Bolt announced the success of the FBA's fiber optic technician training program, which has grown from an initial cohort of eight students in 2022 to nearly 485 graduates today, with a goal of 1,085 graduates by the end of the year. The program, which has a significant focus on veterans, aims to train 75,000 fiber optic technicians nationwide, addressing a critical industry need.

Bolt also discussed the challenges and solutions related to fiber deployment, including permitting, cost benchmarking, and supply chain issues. The FBA's initiatives, such as the permitting summit held in collaboration with Brightsky and the annual fiber deployment cost study conducted with Cartesian, are pivotal in streamlining processes and reducing costs. Additionally, Bolt highlighted the importance of securing the nation's broadband infrastructure and the association's efforts to promote fiber as critical infrastructure through advocacy, education, and collaboration with government entities.

Key Points:

Record Attendance: Fiber Connect 2024 saw a record 5,000 attendees, reflecting significant growth and interest in fiber broadband.

Workforce Development: The FBA's fiber optic technician training program has expanded rapidly, with a goal of 75,000 trained technicians to support the fiber broadband rollout.

Deployment Challenges: The FBA is addressing permitting, cost benchmarking, and supply chain issues to streamline fiber deployment and reduce costs.

Critical Infrastructure: The FBA emphasizes fiber as essential infrastructure and works with government entities to secure and promote broadband development.

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Fiber Connect 2024: NTIA's Alan Davidson Affirms Commitment to Fiber

Fiber Connect 2024 - Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), took the stage at Fiber Connect 2024 in a highly anticipated fireside chat. Davidson reassured the audience of fiber advocates that NTIA remains firmly committed to fiber broadband as the backbone of America's internet infrastructure, dispelling any rumors to the contrary.

Davidson highlighted the historic bipartisan infrastructure law, which has finally provided the resources to address the digital divide, a problem that has persisted for over two decades. He emphasized that NTIA's mission is to connect every American with reliable, affordable high-speed internet, with fiber being the preferred technology due to its future-proof capabilities. While acknowledging the challenges in reaching certain areas, he affirmed that alternative technologies would be considered only when fiber deployment is not feasible.

The Assistant Secretary also announced that NTIA would soon release a guidelines document for the use of alternative technologies, which will be open for public comment. He encouraged stakeholders to participate in this process to ensure a robust and effective framework. Davidson expressed confidence in the bipartisan support for NTIA's programs, noting that the digital equity grants and state plans are crucial steps in achieving digital equity and closing the connectivity gap.

Addressing the critical issue of workforce development, Davidson acknowledged the industry's need for a significant increase in fiber optic technicians. He highlighted the efforts of various states and organizations in workforce training and urged industry stakeholders to continue engaging in these initiatives. Davidson concluded by calling on the Fiber Broadband Association and its members to support NTIA's mission through active participation in state processes, workforce development, and ensuring affordability and accessibility for all Americans.

Key Points:

Commitment to Fiber: NTIA remains dedicated to fiber broadband as the primary technology for high-speed internet infrastructure.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Emphasizes the historic opportunity to close the digital divide with substantial federal funding.

Guidelines for Alternative Technologies: Upcoming document open for public comment to outline the use of alternative technologies in specific cases.

Digital Equity Grants: Nearly a billion dollars in funding to support digital equity initiatives and ensure access for all communities.

Workforce Development: Calls for increased training and support to meet the growing demand for fiber optic technicians.

Fireside Chat Hosted by Marissa Mitrovich, Vice President of Public Policy for the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA). 

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Fiber Connect 2024: Verizon's Eric Lia Advocates for Expanded Fiber Broadband

At the Fiber Connect 2024 conference in Nashville, Eric J. Lia, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Verizon, underscored the transformative power of broadband for rural America. Lia emphasized that broadband access is not merely about faster internet speeds but about leveling the playing field and unlocking growth potential in education, healthcare, economic prosperity, and community development. He highlighted the significant disparities in broadband access, pointing out that 8.8 million households remain unserved or underserved, with 50% of households and school-aged children lacking reliable internet. To bridge this digital divide, Verizon has committed over $3 billion from 2020 through 2025 to expand internet access, particularly focusing on rural areas, schools, libraries, and small businesses.

Lia also addressed the challenges and solutions in expanding fiber broadband. He urged for regulatory flexibility to avoid burdensome restrictions and redundant costs, which can hinder progress. Lia emphasized the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure and upskilling the workforce to meet the growing demand for fiber deployments. Innovations in fiber technology, such as smaller, more efficient cables and hubs, are crucial for reducing costs and accelerating installations. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate and innovate, stressing that every decision should aim to expedite the deployment of fiber broadband to enhance the quality of life for residents in underserved areas.

Key Points:

• Broadband access is essential for education, healthcare, economic prosperity, and community growth.
• 8.8 million households remain unserved or underserved; 50% of households and school-aged children lack reliable internet.
• Verizon is investing over $3 billion from 2020-2025 to expand broadband access, particularly in rural areas.
• Regulatory flexibility and leveraging existing infrastructure are crucial for efficient fiber deployments.
• Innovations in fiber technology are needed to reduce costs and speed up installations.
• Collaboration and innovation among stakeholders are essential to accelerate broadband deployment.

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FBA: Gigabit Fiber Can Add $326B to US GDP

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) published a new study by RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting, emphasizing the substantial financial benefits for users subscribing to gigabit+ broadband services. The study reveals that by adopting fiber broadband services offering gigabit speeds or higher, U.S. productivity could receive a significant boost, potentially adding $326 billion to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This increase in productivity translates to considerable financial gains for gigabit+ subscribers, making it a valuable investment for both individuals and the economy.

John George, FBA Technology Committee Chair and OFS Senior Director of Solutions Engineering and Fusion Splicers, underscores the critical role of fiber broadband in economic growth. He emphasizes that the consistent improvement of broadband speeds is essential to meet the increasing demand for bandwidth. Fiber broadband, known for its reliability, longevity, and sustainability, offers the best value for broadband infrastructure. 

The study further indicates that upgrading work-from-home subscribers from 100/20 Mbps to gigabit fiber could contribute an impressive 1.2% or $326 billion to GDP, highlighting the transformative potential of fiber broadband on the economy.

Key Points:

• Economic Impact: Gigabit+ broadband could add $326 billion to U.S. GDP.
• Productivity Boost: Higher broadband speeds enhance productivity and financial gains for subscribers.
• Reliability and Performance: Fiber broadband offers unmatched reliability, low latency, and high uptime.
• Future-Ready: Fiber broadband supports the growing demand for higher bandwidth and technological advancements.
• Government Priority: Encourages governments to prioritize fiber broadband for economic and community benefits.

https://fiberbroadband.org/resources/gigabit-fiber-can-add-326b-to-us-gdp/

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Nokia has introduced Broadband Easy Connect, a subscription-based service designed to help operators streamline, simplify, and accelerate the fiber connection process for homes. 

As global fiber deployments rise, operators face challenges in cost-effectively connecting subscribers, with over 30% of home connections failing to meet plan due to manual procedures, inaccurate data, and tight schedules. This service aims to address these issues by providing operators, subcontractors, and retailers access to a cloud-based platform that automates the fiber connection process from initial request to service activation, significantly reducing costs and connection times.

Key Points:

• Service Offering: Broadband Easy Connect is a subscription-based service to streamline home fiber connections.
• Automation: The cloud-based platform automates scheduling, dispatching engineers, and verifying field operations.
• Productivity Tools: Includes tools like ONT Easy Start and Optical Link Certifier for automated service activation and testing.
• AI Integration: Uses AI computer vision models to validate port assignments and ensure proper installation of components.
• Nokia’s Experience: Builds on Nokia’s experience connecting over 300 million homes globally, ensuring efficiency and consistency.

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STL expands optical portfolio for US access market

STL  announced a significant expansion of its Optical Connectivity portfolio in the US market. This move aims to enhance fiber connectivity at the premise level with scalable, easy-to-install solutions designed to accelerate deployment and streamline operations for service providers. Among the key products in this portfolio are:

OptoBlaze, Multiport Service Terminal, and OptoBolt Pre-Connectorized Drop Cables: These solutions, already deployed by US providers such as Lumos Networks and Archtop Fiber, enhance network modularity, reduce installation time, and lower connection costs.

OptoPull: A pullable, field-installed pre-connectorized drop cable designed for efficient and quick deployment.

OptoPod: A flexible multiport service terminal offering a pre-connectorized, plug-and-play solution ideal for fast and easy network connections in space-constrained environments.

OptoPed: A high-performance distribution system featuring optical pedestals that are designed and tested to withstand the harshest environmental conditions.

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Keysight validates first 5G NR 1024-QAM demodulation

Keysight Technologies has validated the industry's first 5G NR FR1 1024-QAM demodulation test cases, based on the 3GPP TS 38.521-4 test specification. These test cases, validated at the Conformance Agreement Group (CAG) #79 meeting of the Global Certification Forum (GCF) in July, are designed for use with Keysight's 5G network emulation conformance test platform (TP168). This milestone enables users to ensure their devices fully comply with 5G standards before market launch.

Key Points:

• Validation Achievement: First 5G NR FR1 1024-QAM demodulation test cases validated.
• Technology: Supports enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) with higher data rates, increased bandwidth, improved reliability, and lower latency.
• Test Platform: 1024-QAM support added to the E7515B UXM 5G Test platform, available as a software upgrade.
• Release 16 Enhancements: Validated WI-528 Release 16 NR Demodulation Performance Enhancements, now open for certification.
• Industry Support: Supported by multiple operators, ensuring rigorous compliance and performance checks.

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NTIA Approves Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Virginia for BEAD program

 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has given the green light to Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Virginia’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This approval marks a significant milestone in the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative, enabling these states to access funding and begin their efforts to bridge the digital divide. The BEAD program, a $42.45 billion state grant initiative under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to provide all Americans with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet. Massachusetts has been allocated over $147 million, New Mexico over $675 million, and Virginia over $1.4 billion to enhance their Internet infrastructure.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo praised the states for their commitment to ensuring high-speed Internet access for all residents, highlighting the critical role this connectivity plays in education, job training, and economic development. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson echoed these sentiments, commending the states for their robust proposals. The funds will not only be used for deployment but also for Internet adoption, training, and workforce development once the primary goals are met. States are required to submit a Final Proposal one year after the Initial Proposal approval, detailing their subgrantee selection process and plans for universal coverage.

• Massachusetts allocated over $147 million
• New Mexico allocated over $675 million
• Virginia allocated over $1.4 billion
• BEAD program is part of the $42.45 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• Funds to be used for high-speed Internet deployment, adoption, training, and workforce development
• States must submit Final Proposal detailing subgrantee selection and universal coverage plans one year after Initial Proposal approval

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Lambda launches NVIDIA HGX H100 + InfiniBand Clusters

Lambda, which operates a GPU cloud powered by NVIDIA GPUs, has launched a new service, Lambda 1-Click Clusters. This service provides AI engineers and researchers with short-term access to multi-node GPU clusters in the cloud for large-scale AI model training. It marks the first time such access to NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs on 2 to 64 nodes has been made available on demand through a self-serve cloud service, without the need for expensive long-term contracts. “It has been our best experience in training runs, and as a team they have been super responsive and supportive across the board,” said Mahmoud Felfel, co-founder of PlayHT.

Lambda 1-Click Clusters are designed to meet the specific needs of today’s AI teams, who may not require continuous access to top-end GPUs. These teams can now quickly spin up a short-term cluster with hundreds of GPUs for a few weeks to run experiments, pause without wasting idle GPU time, and prepare for the next iteration. This flexibility ensures that AI innovation is not hampered by financial or contractual limitations. Robert Brooks, founding team member and VP of Revenue at Lambda, highlighted the significance of this launch: “Lambda has solved a complex compute challenge only a few very large companies have: partitioning a large, high-performant AI deployment to make smaller GPU clusters.”

•   Service Name: Lambda 1-Click Clusters

•   Target Users: AI engineers and researchers

•   Hardware: NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking

•   Cluster Size: 2 to 64 nodes, 16 to 512 GPUs

•   Minimum Reservation: Two weeks

•   Self-Serve Model: On-demand access without long-term contracts

•   Recent Developments: $500 million GPU-backed facility, $320 million Series C funding round

•   User Feedback: Praised for ease of setup, stable infrastructure, and responsive support

Lambda secures $500M for its GPU cloud

Thursday, April 04, 2024    

Lambda, which offers a cloud GPU service powered by NVIDIA, secured a special purpose financing vehicle of up to $500 million to fund the expansion of its on-demand cloud offering.The special asset-based loan is secured by the GPUs and supported by their cash flow generation. The financing was led by Macquarie Group  with participation from Industrial Development Funding, and follows Lambda’s $320 million Series C funding round in February...

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BT Expands FTTP Footprint to 15 Million Premises Amid Strong Q2

 BT Group has released its Q2 2024 financial results, showcasing significant progress in its strategic priorities and continued transformation efforts. The company achieved a record full-fibre (FTTP) build, passing over 1 million premises in the quarter at an average build rate of 78,000 per week. This expansion brings BT's FTTP footprint to 15 million, including 4.2 million rural premises, with an additional 6 million where initial build is underway. BT’s FTTP customer base surpassed 5 million during the quarter, driven by strong demand with orders up 29% year-on-year and a take-up rate of 34%. Openreach, BT’s infrastructure division, saw broadband ARPU grow by 6% year-on-year due to price rises and increased FTTP volumes, despite broadband line losses of 196,000.

Consumer broadband ARPU increased by 1% year-on-year to £42.4, while Consumer postpaid mobile ARPU rose 0.5% to £19.8. The consumer base showed resilience in a competitive market, with the broadband base down 28,000 (a 0.3% decline) and the postpaid mobile base down 15,000 (a 0.1% decline). The retail FTTP base grew by 36% year-on-year to 2.7 million, with 2.6 million in the consumer segment and 0.1 million in business. 

Additionally, BT’s 5G base reached 11.3 million, up 22% year-on-year. 

The company's Business segment faced challenges from legacy managed contract declines and reduced low-margin sales, but cost transformation efforts provided some offset. BT Group's Net Promoter Score (NPS) improved to 25.1, up 0.3 points year-on-year, reflecting enhanced customer experience.

Key Metrics:

• FTTP Build: Over 1 million premises passed in the quarter, average build rate of 78,000 per week
• FTTP Footprint: 15 million premises, including 4.2 million rural premises
• FTTP Customer Base: Surpassed 5 million, with orders up 29% year-on-year and a take-up rate of 34%
• Openreach Broadband ARPU: Grew by 6% year-on-year
• Openreach Broadband Line Losses: 196,000, with higher competitor losses and weaker broadband market
• Consumer Broadband ARPU: Up 1% year-on-year to £42.4
• Consumer Postpaid Mobile ARPU: Increased 0.5% year-on-year to £19.8
• Consumer Broadband Base: Down 28,000 quarter-on-quarter (0.3% decline)
• Consumer Postpaid Mobile Base: Down 15,000 quarter-on-quarter (0.1% decline)
• Retail FTTP Base: Grew 36% year-on-year to 2.7 million (Consumer: 2.6 million, Business: 0.1 million)
• 5G Base: 11.3 million, up 22% year-on-year
• BT Group NPS: 25.1, up 0.3 points year-on-year
• Adjusted Revenue: £5.1 billion, down 2% from Q1 FY24
• Adjusted EBITDA: £2.1 billion, up 1%
• Reported Revenue: £5.0 billion, down 2%
• Reported Profit Before Tax: £520 million, down 3%
• Sustainability Recognition: Named one of the "World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2024" by TIME Magazine and Statista

BT accelerates FTTP build

Thursday, May 16, 2024    

BT reported full year revenues of £20.8bn, up 1%; adjusted revenue £20.8bn, up 2% on a pro forma basis due to price increases and fibre-enabled product sales in Openreach, increased service revenue in Consumer with annual contractual price rises being aided by higher roaming and increased FTTP connections, partly offset by legacy product declines and a one-off revenue adjustment in Business. Reported profit before tax amounted to £1.2bn, down 31%...

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Verizon Accelerates C-Band Expansion, Now ~60% of Planned Sites

During Verizon’s Q2 earnings conference call, key technology trends were highlighted, particularly focusing on the C-band spectrum and fiber deployments. Verizon’s CEO Hans Vestberg and CFO Tony Skiadas provided insights into the company’s strategic initiatives and advancements in these areas, which are crucial for the company’s growth and technological leadership.

C-Band Expansion

Verizon emphasized the ongoing expansion of its C-band spectrum, which is now deployed on nearly 60% of its planned sites. This rollout is critical for enhancing network performance and supporting the increasing demand for mobile and fixed wireless access. The C-band spectrum has already shown significant improvements in churn rates and gross additions, particularly in suburban and rural areas. This expansion is expected to continue, with a focus on increasing network capacity and improving customer experience.

Fiber Deployments

Verizon continues to invest heavily in its fiber infrastructure, particularly with its Fios product, which is recognized as the leading fiber solution in the market. The company’s strategy involves leveraging its extensive fiber network to support its mobile-edge compute capabilities, enabling real-time AI applications that require ultra-low latency and high bandwidth. This investment in fiber not only supports current broadband needs but also positions Verizon as a key player in the emerging AI economy.

Key Points:

•   C-Band Deployment: Nearly 60% of planned sites deployed, improving network performance and customer experience.

•   Fiber Infrastructure: Continued investment in Fios and fiber network to support mobile-edge computing and AI applications.

•   Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Strong growth with 378,000 net additions in Q2, contributing to a run rate of over $2 billion in revenue.

•   Broadband Growth: 391,000 total broadband net additions in Q2, driven by fixed wireless access and Fios.

•   AI Integration: Verizon’s network is positioned to support AI applications with its mobile-edge compute capabilities and extensive fiber footprint.

•   Private Networks: Increasing adoption of private networks, setting the stage for future growth in AI and enterprise solutions.

•   Operational Efficiency: Leveraging AI for operational improvements, including customer care and network management.

•   Financial Performance: Strong free cash flow generation, enabling continued investment in technology and debt reduction.

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Digital Realty posts mixed Q2 amid steady data center demand

Digital Realty reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2024, showcasing a steady demand for data center capacity but reflecting some mixed financial metrics. The company posted revenues of $1.4 billion, a 2% increase from the previous quarter but a 1% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite these revenue trends, Digital Realty managed to maintain a solid position within the competitive data center market, driven by continued investments in infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

Net income for Q2 2024 was reported at $75 million, with net income available to common stockholders at $70 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. This marks a significant decline from the $0.82 per diluted share in the previous quarter and $0.34 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. This drop in earnings per share highlights the challenges Digital Realty faces in managing its cost structure and optimizing its profitability amid fluctuating market conditions.

On a more positive note, Digital Realty reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $727 million for the second quarter, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous quarter and a 4% year-over-year increase. This growth in EBITDA underscores the company's ability to effectively manage its operations and generate consistent cash flow, even as it navigates a complex and evolving market landscape. The company also reported Funds From Operations (FFO) of $511 million, or $1.57 per share, an improvement from $1.41 per share in the prior quarter and $1.52 per share in the same period last year.

Looking forward, Digital Realty remains cautiously optimistic. The company continues to see robust demand for data center space, evidenced by its leasing activity and strategic investments. However, the competitive environment and economic uncertainties necessitate a focused approach to maintaining financial health and operational efficiency. Digital Realty's leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to capitalizing on growth opportunities while managing risks effectively.

Key Metrics and Accomplishments in Q2 2024:

• Revenue: $1.4 billion (2% increase from previous quarter, 1% decrease year-over-year)
• Net Income: $75 million
• Net Income Available to Common Stockholders: $70 million, or $0.20 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA: $727 million (2% increase from previous quarter, 4% increase year-over-year)
• Funds From Operations (FFO): $511 million, or $1.57 per share
• Core FFO per Share: $1.65
• Constant-Currency Core FFO per Share: $1.66 for Q2, $3.33 for the first half of 2024
• Annualized GAAP Rental Revenue from New Leases: $164 million
• Annualized GAAP Rental Revenue from Renewals: $215 million
• Debt Outstanding: $16.3 billion

Outlook:

• Revenue Guidance for 2024: $5.55 - $5.65 billion
• Adjusted EBITDA Guidance for 2024: $2.80 - $2.90 billion
• Core FFO per Share Guidance for 2024: $6.60 - $6.75
• Constant-Currency Core FFO per Share Guidance for 2024: $6.60 - $6.75
• Leasing Activity: Expected strong demand for data center space to continue
• Capital Expenditure: Focus on strategic investments and infrastructure expansion

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