The Fintech industry is illustrative of how fiber connectivity delivers considerable benefits. Financial services companies and trading platforms rely heavily on fast data transmission. Fiber’s high-speed capabilities enable the processing of large volumes of data quickly with applications such as real-time PoS transactions and other forms of digital payments, clearing house and settlement platforms, and online banking. Dedicated, ultra-low latency fiber connections are a competitive necessity with high frequency trading platforms, in which a millisecond advantage can drive substantial profits. Increasingly, fiber connections will play a vital role enabling blockchain technology and connecting cryptocurrency exchanges.

The scalability and security advantage of fiber optic transmission is also of critical importance to Fintech. With cyber threats on the rise, data security is essential to providing on-line finance services. Fiber optic networks provide superior security features, making it difficult to intercept data without detection which is a crucial factor that contributes to the protection of financial transactions. As security operations adopt more AI-enabled correlation techniques and analytics to assess risk and detect fraud, the speed of fiber networks will be essential to processing massive amounts of data. The reliability of fiber optic network infrastructure also helps ensure the financial services ecosystem is continuously operating 24x7 given its vital role underpinning the global economy. Overall, fiber connectivity is essential to the efficient functioning of the global financial system, enabling the industry’s numerous real-time applications as well as helping its participants meet the industry’s stringent security and regulatory compliance requirements.

High speed networks have revolutionized the healthcare industry, which started with early forms of telemedicine. Big data, cloud IT, and AI have widespread application in the healthcare industry, with the protection of privacy of paramount importance, resulting in an even greater need for the performance capabilities of fiber optic networks. The power of AI improves the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of medical diagnostics. Predictive analytics enabled by AI is driving significant advancements in early detection of potentially life-threatening illnesses. AI-enabled automation enhances the accuracy and efficiency of record keeping, ensuring that patient information is readily accessible while also safeguarding adherence to HIPAA compliance requirements. The increased use of GenAI in the healthcare industry improves workflows and leads to more efficient time management of scarce personnel, resulting in higher quality patient care. At the heart of these technology-driven improvements to medical science, patient care, and administrative processes are fiber optics networks which transport large volumes of data reliably, securely, and speedily.

The criticality of fast, reliable, and secure connectivity in the education sector became particularly acute during the Covid-19 pandemic. The role of fiber optic networks became paramount during this scenario. The reliance on network infrastructure of educational institutions, including K-12 schools, universities, and other academic and research organizations straddles a variety of applications from e-learning, collaboration and accessing resources stored in the cloud to administrative systems and record keeping. The high-speed capabilities of fiber optic transmission enable students to participate in virtual classroom environments using high quality video and web conferencing methods, simulating the in-classroom environment in a more realistic manner, thereby enhancing the student’s ability to learn and collaborate. The inherent stability of fiber-based connectivity ensures an uninterrupted learning cadence, in contrast to the less reliable performance capabilities of other transmission modalities which can be disruptive to the learning experience. The latency advantage of fiber connectivity also enables faster downloads of educational materials, providing students and teachers with more efficient access to vital resources.

Deployments of fiber connectivity to serve school communities typically entail the building out of MANs, especially in urban areas. Innovations in fiber optic technology, such as micro ducts and microfiber systems, have made such deployments more efficient. Additionally, the strand count of single mode optical networks has increased, as new systems are able to accommodate upwards to 864 fiber strands. The result is the ability to deploy fiber networks more cost efficiently with a high degree of scalability, while also helping future proof the overall technology platform.

The Benefits Outweigh the Challenges

The deployment of fiber infrastructure to enable these key industry applications is not without its challenges. Building out a fiber network requires substantial investment capital. Above ground fiber optic lines are exposed to weather induced damage. The digging of subterranean fiber networks poses risks to other buried infrastructures. In instances of subsea fiber infrastructure, fishing vessels and even sharks can cause damage to the cables. Securing regulatory permissions to build a fiber optic network can also be time consuming and onerous. When partnering with municipal governments, fiber connectivity providers can encounter complexities and constraints with public funding and revenue sharing arrangements. But the benefits of fiber facilities far exceed the hurdles. As AI begins to transform the conventions of business operations across all industries to drive greater efficiency, the fiber optic infrastructure imperative becomes even more compelling.