Fibre's future is elementary

Andrew Watson is commercial director of the Fibre Optic Industry Association as well as being product marketing manager for Molex Premise Networks. The Association is, among other things, involved in ensuring that standards are encouraged and adhered to, as well as acting on behalf of its member's interests.

What do you see as the main bottlenecks in fibre optics?

As we get into the realm of higher and higher speeds, we are seeing bandwidth limitations with fibre, where in previous years it was never an issue. Going back about five years, fibre was fibre and it could do everything, but we now realise it can't.

The main limitations are on modal bandwidth, which is the capacity over a certain distance for a fibre cable. There are different sizes of cable, which also has an effect on performance.

In the UK, 62.5/125mu m has been the traditional standard. In Europe it is 50/125mu m and this goes back to an earlier debate over standards. The Germans got it right with 50/125mu m, as that has better bandwidth performance.

Will fibre to the desktop ever become commonplace?

It is starting to migrate into the horizontal, for example, fibre to the desktop applications. Small form-factor connectors have been developed for that particular use and obviously there are applications on the desk that require more bandwidth then ever before.

It is happening, but it is a slow process, and in terms of overall market it is still a small percentage. The horizontal network is still the domain of copper.

The cost of the active equipment will change that, particularly Nic cards. Optical Nics are quite expensive but costs are coming down. As more fibre migrates into the horizontal, the more demand there is for equipment, and the more it allows the equipment manufacturers to make higher volumes and bring the price down.

Will fibre make a difference to how voice is carried?

One of the big issues for fibre to the desktop is what do you do with voice communications, because voice requires a telephone and that in turn needs power. Generally speaking, you can't put power down fibre, so you can configure a phone set up through your PC but of course if you turn that off, you turn your phone off as well.

Do you see much conflict between telecoms and network managers as their networks converge?

If you have one network doing everything, then you have a fundamental change in the culture of an organisation. You have to ask who should be responsible for that network?

In my experience of networks, I see more interruptions at a senior level in companies than we ever have in the past, because firms are starting to look at these problems from a strategic point of view.

The telecoms and network managers operate in their own environments. But inevitably there will be changes to the way organisations and their structures work as it wouldn't make sense to have two departments looking after one network.

When will this happen?

It won't be a big bang and suddenly everything will change. It will be incremental, such as when companies decide on the strategic direction for their IT. That will have an impact on what type of system they want to operate, who operates it and how it is operated.

How do you think the skills shortage in technology is affecting the fibre optic industry at the moment?

A lack of appropriate skills is containing the growth of quite a few businesses in our industry, they just cannot get the right people. Training, qualifications and what those qualifications signify are the major issues for us at the moment.

In my company we have to ensure our partners that perform the installation are trained and up to speed, and that they are using the right products with the applications. Otherwise, there is the danger of people building a data network with little or no experience.

Do you think training has to come from the industry itself, rather than the Government?

It should be driven by industry. The situation is very complex and muddied by the different types of qualifications around. City and Guilds is a good basic step, has been around for years, and gives you a basic level of competence. But where does practical experience come from after that?

There is something else coming into the market call BICSI, which is a non-profit making training organisation in the US. It has a very structured programme where, if you don't get one of their qualifications, you don't get a job in the industry.