Telecom leaders at the annual FTTH Conference in Las Vegas were told last week that more than 650 U.S. communities are now wired with direct fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections and technically able to receive TV, broadband and telephony via fiber optics. The industry meeting comes amid widespread media attention regarding Verizon's recent FiOS franchises that are currently being sought (or granted) in local communities in Texas, Virginia and across the country. Verizon's services include HD channels and HD DVR options.
According to the latest annual report, the research notes more than 650 FTTH communities in 46 states, and 322,700 connected homes. (That would directly affect approximately one million people). (By comparison, the September 2004 report listed 217 FTTH communities and 146,500 connected homes.) U.S. households, overall, are approaching 110 million.
The report cites many of the FTTH communities noted as indicative of the "exurban" trend that's taken hold in growth areas throughout the U.S. ("Exurbs" are generally defined as prosperous communities located beyond a city's traditional suburbs.) Developers are building 30-40 miles beyond major city limits to give new homeowners more affordable housing options. Thus, a relatively large percentage of FFTH pass-bys are new dwellings.
The FTTH report was released jointly by the Fiber-to-the-Home Council, the Telecommunications Industry Association and Fiber Optic Communities of the United States.
