Telecom Egypt and Zain Omantel plan a new high-capacity route

Telecom Egypt and Zain Omantel International (ZOI)  announced a strategic partnership to establish a  digital corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf.

The new infrastructure will stretch from Oman's Arabian Sea and Gulf shores to Egypt's Mediterranean coastline, incorporating a high fiber count and a combination of terrestrial and subsea segments. 

The terrestrial segments covering Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt offer  reliability and protection, while the subsea section directly linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt through the Red Sea features a high-capacity, repeaterless cable system. 

This collaboration will not only enhance the resiliency and reliability of end-to-end solutions for Telecom Egypt and ZOI's partners and customers but also extend the infrastructure to Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan through ZOI's network and collaboration with licensed cable landing parties in each country. Furthermore, it presents an opportunity for subsea cable owners to reduce construction costs and improve latency, resilience, and market response times by connecting to this open access system. 

Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and CEO at Telecom Egypt, commented: “We are excited to collaborate with ZOI on this strategic project; it’s a game-changer in the Eurasia route connectivity landscape. As we look for innovative ways to better serve our customers, we will consistently strive to provide a seamless international connectivity network and increase our diversity layers, without compromising quality, cost or speed. We will do this by leveraging on both Telecom Egypt’s established history in the subsea cables arena and its experienced and competent team.” 

 

Sohail Qadir, CEO at ZOI, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Telecom Egypt on such a groundbreaking project. ZOI was created to revolutionize the wholesale telecom scene and this is an example of what the future holds. We are facilitating the landing of subsea connections through our shareholders such as Omantel and Zain KSA being the licensees in those jurisdictions. This one-of-a-kind infrastructure will be expanded to most of ZOI’s network footprint to maximize the benefit to our group operations across the region. The value that this digital corridor will create is enormous and it will be widely realized in the region and beyond not only from a connectivity point of view, but also on technological, commercial and social levels.” END   

 

https://www.zainomantel.com 

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Orange powers AMITIE Subsea Cable with Infinera’s GX

Orange deployed Infinera’s GX Series-based ICE6 coherent solution on its new AMITIE subsea cable, which spans 6,800 km and connects the state of Massachusetts (USA), Le Porge (France) and Bude (UK). 

Orange powers fully resilient global connectivity capability along the world’s busiest route, using two state-of-the-art subsea mega cables, Dunant and AMITIE, to connect France and the U.S. Deploying Infinera’s  ICE6 technology on the GX Series Compact Modular Platform enables Orange to keep pace with future generations of optical transmission technologies while maintaining a high level of performance for the next 20 years. This deployment also significantly reduces Orange’s energy cost per megabit and minimizes its carbon footprint.

 

“We are pleased to integrate Infinera’s industry-leading technology for the first time on one of our key transatlantic routes and terrestrial backhaul. With this future-proof technology, Orange is well-positioned to continue to be a major player in the global wholesale market, developing our infrastructure to connect continents together and delivering a unique, high-performance, and robust solution to our customers,” said Aurélien Vigano, VP International Transmission Network at Orange.

“Infinera is delighted to partner with Orange to deliver our innovative ICE6 solution across Orange’s critical subsea and terrestrial backhaul routes, offering network operators, wholesale carriers, and enterprise customers resilient and reliable global connectivity capability,” said Nick Walden, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Infinera.

https://www.infinera.com/press-release/orange-deploys-infinera-gx-series-to-power-amitie-subsea-cable/

• With a total length of 6,800 km and 16 fiber pairs, and a maximum capacity of 400 Tbps, AMITIE connects Lynn near Boston (USA), Le Porge near Bordeaux (France) and Bude (England). In France, Orange oversees the French part of the cable, and is in charge of operating and maintaining the system's landing station. It provides all AMITIE cable partners with the terrestrial infrastructure required for its smooth operation, from the limit of French territorial waters to the new Equinix datacenter based in Bordeaux.
• Additional partners on the AMITIE cable include Aqua Comms, Meta, Microsoft, and Vodafone. The cable was built by Alcatel Submarine Networks.
• In January 2021, Orange announced ready-for-service status on the new Dunant cable system, which is a joint project with Google, and boasts 12 fibre pairs with over 30 Tbps of capacity each.

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Broadband Forum intros Automated Intelligence Management framework

The Broadband Forum has introduced two industry standards known as the Automated Intelligence Management (AIM) framework, aimed at leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and automation to enhance network services' quality and reliability. AIM has the potential to save service providers both costs and effort associated with scaling their networks. By reducing on-site maintenance and human intervention, it can proactively identify and address network faults before they impact the user's experience, ultimately improving operational efficiency. 

The AIM framework is seen as a solution to unlock new revenue streams and optimize network infrastructure, particularly beneficial for service providers that have had to increase their capital expenditure (CapEx) to expand their networks. 

Key points and benefits of the AIM framework:

• AIM utilizes AI, ML, and automation to enhance network operational efficiency and reduce operational expenditure (OpEx).
• It can anticipate and resolve network faults before they affect service quality, reducing the need for on-site maintenance.
• The framework offers potential cost savings and revenue generation for service providers.
• Two standards, TR-436 and TR-486, define the AIM framework and its interfaces, ensuring vendor interoperability.
• Use cases include home Wi-Fi network monitoring, network performance optimization, and automated traffic steering.
• AIM enables automated and intelligent network operations with minimal human intervention, improving user experience.
• It facilitates end-to-end root cause analysis, path degradation predictions, and customer experience assessments.

The Broadband Forum says its AIM framework represents a significant step forward in network management, providing service providers with the tools needed to deliver high-quality services efficiently and cost-effectively. 

“Service assurance with performance monitoring and automated traffic steering is an attractive proposition as it enables an automated and intelligent way to operate the network with minimal human intervention,” said Mauro Tilocca of TIM - Telecom Italia who also serves as the Broadband Forum Service Provider Action Council Chair. “The new specifications deliver an entire framework to empower network capabilities, via AI/ML-based recommendations. The AIM pipeline components can be implemented as virtualized functions in a cloud-native environment, allowing a high degree of reusability per modern DevOps and GitOps paradigms, as well as flexible and seamless deployments.”

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Arrcus Predictions 2024: AI's Impact on Network Infrastructure

For 2024, Shekar Ayyar, CEO from Arrcus, predicts:

- Distributed network infrastructure for effective AI inferencing at the edges. This is where the real value of AI lies, as customers are more interested in the results than the intricacies of model training.

- Multicloud networking with efficient management of egress costs. With more than one hyperscaler highway becoming a requirement, it's time to embrace multicloud networking.

- The need for large-scale data center infrastructure to deploy and train large AI models. Single data centers won't cut it anymore; efficient interconnects between multiple data centers and extending from data centers to the edges are the future.

https://youtu.be/syqxUQOwuiQ

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 Check out all 2024 Predictions from Industry Thought Leaders: https://ngi.fyi/predictions24ytx`

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Ericsson, T-Mobile and Qualcomm test 6-component carrier aggregation

Ericsson, T-Mobile and Qualcomm Technologies achieved download speeds beyond 3.6Gbps in a world’s first six-component carrier aggregation (6CC) using sub-6GHz spectrum on a live production 5G network.

5G carrier aggregation allows service providers like T-Mobile to combine multiple 5G channels (or carriers) to deliver greater speed and performance. In this test, the trio merged six 5G channels of mid-band spectrum – two channels of 2.5GHz Ultra Capacity 5G, two channels of Personal Communications Services (PCS) spectrum and two channels of Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum – creating an effective 245MHz 5G channel. That’s like taking six separate highways and turning them into a massive superhighway where traffic can zoom faster than before.

Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, says: “This latest technology advancement with T-Mobile and Qualcomm Technologies comes as Ericsson continues to go beyond the bounds of its carrier aggregation journey. With this new milestone we have proven once again the versatility of our software innovation and how it helps our customers boost network capacity, coverage and performance.”

Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile, says: “We are pushing the boundaries of wireless technology to offer our customers the best experience possible. With the first and largest 5G standalone network in the country, T-Mobile is the only mobile provider serving 10s of millions of customers to unleash new capabilities like 5G carrier aggregation nationwide, and I am so incredibly proud of our team for leading the way.”  

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-delivers-another-worlds-first-with-6-carrier-aggregation

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Nokia Federal Solutions gets underway

Nokia launched a new dedicated entity focused on delivering secure and innovative solutions to the U.S. federal government.

Nokia Federal Solutions (NFS) will leverage the company’s global expertise and technology portfolio underpinned by Nokia Bell Labs to address the critical needs of U.S. federal agencies across diverse missions.

The launch of NFS underscores Nokia’s long-standing commitment to the U.S. government. The company has been a trusted partner for decades, providing critical technology and services to various agencies. NFS’ focus will be to create solutions that meet the unique requirements of US Federal Agencies utilizing Nokia’s technology and product portfolio including IP Routing, Optical Networking, Microwave, 5G, Private Wireless and Tactical Private Wireless.

NFS brings together a team of experienced professionals both in commercial communications technology expertise and a deep understanding of the U.S. government’s unique requirements. The NFS initiative is further bolstered by the recent acquisition of the Fenix Group, Inc., a leading provider of secure tactical private wireless solutions for defense.

Mike Loomis, President of Nokia Federal Solutions, said: “The U.S. government faces complex communications challenges in today’s interconnected world. With Nokia Federal Solutions, we are strengthening our commitment to support the US Government by investing in a dedicated entity to provide the technology, expertise, and local presence needed to help U.S. federal agencies achieve their mission goals. We are investing to become the U.S. Government's trusted partner for 5G mission-ready solutions.”

https://www.nokia.com

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NEC completes subsea cable for India's BSNL

NEC completed a submarine cable system in southern India connecting Kochi, a major port city in India, with 11 Lakshadweep islands: Agatti, Andrott, Amini, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Kiltan, Kelpeni, and Minicoy. 

Spanning approximately 1,870 kilometers, the system offers an initial capacity of 2x100 Gbps, expandable up to 1,600 Gbps per fibre pair.

The Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI), developed under the Government of India's 'Digital India' Mission, was inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. 

Funded by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, the project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a telecommunications company under the ownership of the Government of India.

https://www.nec.com/en/press/202401/global_20240112_01.html

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Alphawave Semi Predictions 2024: AI Chiplets and Optical Communications

Tony Chan Carusone, Chief Technology Officer from Alphawave Semi, predicts:

 - Customized hardware with chiplets will be deployed to extend AI's capabilities. As AI models continue to strain our energy and data infrastructure, industry players will look to improve efficiency by customizing their hardware designs. In 2024, chiplets will be the answer.

- Hardware will become the most in-demand tech sector. With the growth of AI showing no signs of slowing down, the need for semiconductor solutions will only intensify. Expect to see more semiconductor companies rising the ranks of tech industry titans.

- 2024 will kick off an optical communication revolution. As we reach an inflection point in data from AI, the most prominent tech players in the world will be compelled to implement new optical connectivity technologies. This will set off a decade of technological progress.

https://youtu.be/m-IDeBodOyE

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APC Predictions 2024: Navigating the Evolving Optical Ecosystem

 Check out all 2024 Predictions from Industry Thought Leaders: https://ngi.fyi/predictions24yt

Jeff Maki, Distinguished Engineer from Advanced Photonics Coalition, predicts:

- The industry's ecosystem is undergoing significant changes, with increased opportunities for competitive aspects and understanding one's position within the ecosystem. Each level, from hyperscalers to material suppliers, has a responsibility to leverage opportunities with competitors to mature their level of the ecosystem.

- There will be an increase in competitors coming together to set future opportunities, particularly through the use of standards. Standards indicate maturing technology and offer licensing opportunities, even for technology backed by patents. 

- New standards bodies, like the Advanced Photonics Coalition, will emerge to meet the industry's evolving needs. These bodies will form working groups at different ecosystem levels, working towards specifications that document collaboration among competitors and bring value to end customers.

https://youtu.be/d3QVzs0dbos

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Telecom Infra Project Predictions 2024: AI, RICs & Sustainability

Check out all 2024 Predictions from Industry Thought Leaders: https://ngi.fyi/predictions24yt

How will AI shape the development of telecom infrastructure in 2024? Eugina Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer from Telecom Infra Project predicts:

- The rise of AI in Telecom: AI will revolutionize the Telecom industry by improving operations, enhancing customer experiences, and automating network configurations. Expect to see more AI tools like chatbots for better customer service and AI-driven network automation for efficient 5G and small cell network setups.

- The emergence of RIC: Real-time and non-real time RIC will be used by mobile operators for various use cases to optimize the quality of experience, manage their spectrum, and monetize their networks.

- Sustainability and TCO reduction: The Telecom industry will focus on sustainability and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction. Mobile operators will aim to reduce power consumption in data centers and on-site through AI and ML algorithms. RAN automation will also be used to shut down cell sites when not in use, contributing to sustainability goals.

https://youtu.be/LPvjQlqnOzc

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T-Systems expands its Quantum Cloud with AQT

T-Systems Quantum Cloud now provides access AQT's quantum computers. 

AQT, based in Innsbruck, is a leader in Europe for building ion trap-based quantum computers, known for their high-quality computations. This collaboration enhances Europe's independence in vital quantum technology. The integration has been successfully tested, and customers can begin using it along with T-Systems' consulting services.

T-Systems' clients can create quantum applications using AQT's quantum computers through cloud access. This connection will be part of Deutsche Telekom's comprehensive quantum cloud services. 

T-Systems offers support through training and resources. Customers can also use pre-made quantum algorithms and applications from the European PlanQK platform, which provides an easy start in quantum computing with pre-built programming modules. Services are available in various packages, including time-based or volume-based models, ranging from one-day introductions to multi-month proof-of-concept for business cases.

Jörn Kellermann, SVP Global Portfolio and Technology Excellence at T-Systems, explains: "We identified quantum computing early on as a critical key technology for the future. The first customers are already live on the T-Systems Quantum Cloud and the cooperation with AQT expands their possibilities – on a sovereign, European infrastructure."

Thomas Monz, CEO and founder of AQT, says: "Together with T-Systems, we offer our customers hands-on access to the best quantum computers in Europe. We are convinced that the synergy between our quantum computers and T-Systems' cloud infrastructure will open up completely new capabilities and markets for Europe."

https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/quantum-computing-1056220

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Ceragon lands Tier 1 Operator in India

Ceragon Networks signed an agreement with a global integrator, in support of a network modernization project for a Tier 1 Operator in India. 

This brand-new customer of Ceragon will be the first to deploy its newest solutions. All new microwave sites will utilize Ceragon's new ultra-compact, energy-efficient all-outdoor radio. In addition, several thousand mmW sites will be deployed using Ceragon's E-Band product.

The agreement, valued at approximately $150 million, comprises planning, product delivery and deployment services, as well as a multi-year contract for Ceragon's Managed Services that covers day-to-day monitoring, management, and maintenance oversite of the microwave and mmW (millimeter wave) network. 

Ceragon notes that the actual value of the agreement may vary by an increase or decrease of up to 25%, depending upon the actual deployment requirements during project roll-out. Ceragon is expected to begin delivery and deployment of the new sites in Q2 of 2024. Deployment is expected to complete within 7-9 quarters, with approximately 75% of the project value expected to be recognized in this timeframe. The remaining approximately 25% of the contract value is for Managed Services & Maintenance and is expected to start being recognized within a year from deployment, respectively.

Doron Arazi, Ceragon CEO, commented, "The scale and scope of this project reaffirms Ceragon's strong brand recognition as an innovative and trustworthy partner in the wireless transport space. We are excited to take part in providing the citizens of India with the future-friendly connectivity they need."

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BT signs Iraqi gas company for managed network services

Basrah Gas Company (BGC), Iraq’s largest gas flare reduction company and a joint venture among the Iraqi Government, Shell and Mitsubishi, awarded a new agreement to BT to securely connect the company’s operations in Iraq and help accelerate its digital transformation.

The new network will provide secure and reliable connectivity for BGC sites across multiple locations (gas fields, processing plants and offices). It will also provide enhanced connectivity to hyperscalers and delivery of cloud-based applications such as Microsoft 365 and SAP.

Andrew Wiper, Managing Director of BGC said: “Collaborating with BT is an important milestone for BGC. In forging this alliance, we propel BGC towards global excellence. The bedrock of our operations lies in robust and efficient connectivity, and this contract reinforces our commitment to efficiency and safety.”

Eyad Shihabi, Managing Director, Global Industries and Government, Business, BT said: “We’re very proud of our relationship with JV BGC. This partnership represents a new chapter in this relationship by delivering the high standards of quality and reliability of services directly to BGC in Iraq.”

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Ayar Labs adds Silicon Valley veterans

Ayar Labs announced two additions to its Board of Directors: 

• Ganesh Moorthy, President and CEO of Microchip Technology Inc., and 
• Craig Barratt, former CEO of Atheros and current Chair of the Board of Intuitive Surgical

The company also announced that co-founder Vladimir Stojanovic has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“Ganesh, Craig, and Vladimir are powerhouse additions to our team, and each will play a critical role as we move our technologies into production maturity,” says CEO Mark Wade. “Their collective knowledge and experience will help us accelerate our roadmap leadership, and deliver the transformative value of optical I/O in AI systems, high performance computing, and next-generation data center system architectures.”

“The work Ayar Labs is doing to make optical I/O a reality is essential to the forward progress of the entire industry. By addressing the performance and power bottlenecks of traditional electrical-based interconnects, Ayar Labs will help unleash the full potential of everything from AI and 6G networks to disaggregated data centers and so much more. I look forward to helping Ayar Labs expand its reach across the ecosystem as the company moves into its next phase of growth,” said Moorthy.

“Optical I/O solves long-standing data movement challenges in computing systems. With the dramatic bandwidth and performance needs in AI systems, a new generation of foundational technologies and products are needed. Ayar Labs’ leadership in breakthrough optical I/O solutions enables system performance that is not possible with alternative approaches,” said Barratt. “I look forward to leveraging my background in bringing new semiconductor technologies to market to accelerate the company’s growth.”

Bringing optical I/O as close as possible to the processor is key design aim for high-performance computing. Intel and Ayar Labs demonstrate  a 4 Tbps bidirectional communication between two optically enabled Intel FPGAs using Ayar Labs TeraPHY optical I/O chiplets. Data generated from each FPGA is optically transmitted from one board and received and verified on the other board.  https://youtu.be/pRQhrjdWtps

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Hawaiki activates 400GbE on transpacific cable

Commercial 400GbE services on the Hawaiki Transpacific Cable, which is owned by BW Digital. The 13,540km Hawaiki cable connects Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast.

The new capability is powered by Ciena's GeoMesh Extreme submarine network solution. It is supported by the Waveserver 5 compact interconnect platform, powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme programmable 800G technology, running over the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE). 

Validation was performed using EXFO’s multi-technology 400G Test Set, which is an Open Transceiver System and Intelligent Pluggable Optics test application. Results demonstrated smooth traffic and no latency impact across the Sydney to Hillsboro segment. BW Digital was supported by WWG Comtest, the EXFO partner in New Zealand, for the loan and technical support on the EXFO Test Set.

The Hawaiki cable has previously tested and achieved 500Gbps channel wavelengths.

“Our recent upgrades with Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme put us in good stead to respond to ever-growing market requirements for international connectivity,” said Ludovic Hutier, Chief Executive Officer, BW Digital, which owns the Hawaiki cables. “Ciena and BW Digital have a long-standing relationship, and this is but one of many connectivity highlights that we hope to continue to bring to our customers.”

“Cable operators globally are always looking for ways to upgrade their cables to be faster, smarter, safer, and more open. Our GeoMesh Extreme is providing BW Digital an end-to-end network architecture, enabling the Hawaiki cable to deliver 400GbE services on its network, which is crucial in meeting the needs of today’s digital consumers, enterprises, and content providers,” said Thomas Soerensen, Vice President, Global Submarine Solutions, Ciena.

www.bw-digital.com

www.ciena.com

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More notes on HPE + Juniper

On a conference call, executives from HPE and Juniper Networks said the strategic imperative for their proposed merger “will strengthen HPE’s position at the nexus of accelerating macro-AI trends, expand our total addressable market, and drive further innovation for customers as we help bridge the AI-native and cloud-native worlds.”

In particular, the companies see an opportunity to expand their combined Edge and Networking total addressable market by 30% by 2026. They cite:

• The Juniper integration will make HPE’s portfolio will be even more diversified and more heavily weighted toward its high growth, higher margin businesses.
• Minimal overlap in product lines and customer segments
• For Juniper, it grows their footprint in data centers and cloud providers. 

Some slides from the webcast (linked below)

https://investors.hpe.com/~/media/Files/H/HP-Enterprise-IR/documents/hpe-to-acquire-juniper-investor-relations-deck.pdf

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DriveNets and Acacia team on 400G ZR/ZR+ cloud

 In response to the requirements of Tier-1 operator customers, DriveNets and Acacia have developed a joint solution that integrates multiple Acacia 400G ZR/ZR+ optical modules with DriveNets' Network Cloud platform.

Last September, DriveNets announced that Network Cloud was the first Disaggregated Distributed Chassis/Backbone Router (DDC/DDBR) to support ZR/ZR+ optics as native transceivers that can be inserted into any Network Cloud-supported white boxes. 

The companies cite several benefits:

• The joint solution will deliver significant simplicity and cost savings by collapsing Layer-1 to Layer-3 communications into a single platform.
• The use of 400ZR/ZR+ eliminates the need for standalone optical transponders, lowering the number of boxes in the solution, and reducing operational-overhead, floor-space, and power.
• DriveNets and Acacia worked together to ensure that the DriveNets NOS (DNOS) supports the 400ZR/ZR+ modules beyond simply plugging them into the box. The collaboration ensures the 400ZR/ZR+ modules can be tunable, configurable, and manageable by DriveNets Network Cloud software.
• This integration also goes beyond interoperability validation. DriveNets Network Cloud offers full software support for the Acacia modules, including configuration (channel and power), monitoring, and troubleshooting for Acacia Bright 400ZR+ transceivers with transmit power greater than +1dBm.

"Today's announcement is further proof of the growth of disaggregated networking solutions and demonstrates that more operators are looking for open solutions that will allow them to mix elements from multiple vendors and avoid being locked to a specific end-to-end vendor solution," said Nir Gasko, Vice President, Global Strategic Alliances for DriveNets. "By collaborating with Acacia, we enable our joint customers to quickly adopt cutting-edge technologies and evolve their networks faster."

"Partnering with DriveNets on this joint solution will allow network operators to deploy Acacia's high-volume standard-based coherent pluggable portfolio in open disaggregated networks with less effort," said Fenghai Liu, Senior Director of Product Line Management for Acacia. "Through this collaboration customers can achieve significant capex and opex savings with router-based coherent optics."

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FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program is running out of funds

 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is sounding the alarm that without immediate congressional action the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will begin running out of funds in April 2024 and be completly without money in May. This will result in millions of households losing financial support to afford internet services. Approximately 1,700 internet service providers across the country will be affected by the termination of the ACP and may be forced to disconnect service to households that no longer receive program support.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is urgently requesting $6 billion from Congress to keep the program operational.

The urgent need for congressional action stems from the fact that while Congress initially allocated $14.2 billion for the ACP, further funding is essential to sustain the program.

Furthermore, the termination of the ACP could jeopardize the success of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, for which the ACP provides a stable customer base, incentivizing broadband deployment in rural and underserved areas.

Key facts:

• Launched on December 31, 2021 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Affordable Connectivity Program is the largest internet affordability program in U.S. history.

• The program has enrolled nearly 23 helping close the digital divide by bringing more households online.

• Under the current program, eligible low-income households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and up to $75 per month for eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands.

• Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

• While the program helps connect households in rural and urban communities alike, rural households have enrolled at a higher rate than their urban counterparts.

This week, a bipartisan bill has been introduced in Congress. The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) published the following statement:

“The Fiber Broadband Association commends Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Jacky Rosen (R-NV) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY-9) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) for their bipartisan, bicameral leadership in introducing legislation that will allow the Affordable Connectivity Program to continue into 2024. More than 20 million households are currently benefiting from this important program, allowing them to fully participate in all aspects of the economy and society.” –Gary Bolton, President & CEO, Fiber Broadband Association.

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-399616A1.pdf

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FBA Predictions2024: Fiber Broadband Deployments in 2024

Gary Bolton, President from Fiber Broadband Association predicts:

- The supply chain for fiber broadband will normalize in the first half of 2024, allowing for new shipments and record deployment.

- Access, affordability, and adoption of fiber broadband will increase, with funding from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ensuring everyone can participate on the internet.

- 2024 will be the year of workforce development, with over 200,000 fiber optic technicians needed. The Fiber Broadband Association's technician training program will expand across all states and territories, and states will begin to allocate funding for workforce development.

https://youtu.be/hjvZ8oOJIpM

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Global Foundries Predictions 2024: Silicon Photonics & Novel Materials

Vikas Gupta, Senior Director of Product Management from GlobalFoundries, anticipates:

- The growth of the Silicon Photonics ecosystem, with a surge in non-traditional OSATs (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test ) taking the lead in Silicon Photonics packaging.

- The rise of a cottage industry associated with IP development, fiber supply, laser suppliers, and test equipment, all crucial components in the Silicon Photonics landscape.

- The increasing usage and development of novel materials such as, lithium niobate, barium titanate, and other organic polymers. Gupta emphasizes the importance of these materials over the next four to five years.

https://youtu.be/Zn4Hl6QiEns

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