Fiber constraints on FTTH deployments ease

Several sources from the vendor community asserted yesterday at the FTTH Conference in Dallas, TX, that fiber shortages that had hindered the completion of broadband stimulus fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network deployments have lessened. Delivery schedules are returning to normal, particularly for the larger carriers, the sources indicated.

Extremely long lead times for fiber-optic cable deliveries were a common complaint among network operators at last year’s event. The effects of last year’s earthquake and tsunami on the ability of Japanese fiber and cable manufacturers to meet demands, as well as an overall surge in demand for fiber-optic cables for FTTH and other network build out needs, had combined to stretch order delivery times to several months, in some instances.

Japanese suppliers came back on line last year, while other fiber manufacturers have stepped up production, the sources said. Demand from broadband stimulus projects also has plateaued. That said, spot shortages continue to occur and cabling of fiber may continue to be an issue in some instances, according to some industry insiders.