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Fibre as a medium to connect to the Internet is on the increase in many parts of the world. A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) revealed that for 2009 the average number of people with a broadband connection in 100 is 22.8. The study also showed that the future of broadband Internet lay in fibre connections.

 

In the leading countries there is an average of one in ten people accessing broadband Internet over fibre. Not surprisingly the Far East is in the lead. In Japan and Korea nearly 50% of connected individuals connect to the Internet with fibre broadband. Still lagging behind but still leading in the West is Sweden , Denmark , Norway and the United States .

 

As for the rest of the world fixed line broadband Internet is still the norm. Even in developed countries like the United Kingdom , Australia and many of the countries of the European Union, fibre is not seeing as much growth as expected. The OECD predicts that these countries will have trouble keeping up economically if they do not implement fibre infrastructure in the near future.

 

In South Africa the growth of broadband Internet has lead to fibre connections being installed in certain locations. Currently fibre to the premises (FTTX) has been implemented in some upmarket gated villages and office parks but it will be some time before it enters the traditional neighbourhoods and older office blocks. While South African telecommunications companies do have fibre to the home (FTTH) in development, the cost of implementation is the largest limiting factor.

 

The economic crisis is not helping either. In both South Africa and the world, the economic downturn has halted development of fibre broadband infrastructure despite the continuing growth of Internet use in all spheres. In some countries, notably South Africa , the government is stepping into alleviate some of the financial pressures.

 

While the assistance is welcome, there are questions as to the wisdom of government being involved in what has been, historically, a matter of the private sector. Despite these misgivings the South African broadband situation is starting to look better. While fibre broadband is still finding its feet in South Africa , the infrastructure is far more advanced than in many developing countries.

 

 

 

 

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