Can Fiber Create Jobs?

As the industry and government move closer to resolution on where, how and with what conditions broadband will play a role in the nation’s economic stimulus programs, every sector of the industry is angling for attention to get its proposed approach.

The FTTH Council’s approach couldn’t be more direct: Building fiber networks creates new jobs. The council recently commissioned a study conducted by the consulting firm Empiris that projects just that: enacting tax incentives that would spur the creation of fiber all the way to the premises would generate more than 200,000 direct jobs in each of the next three years, and increase output by more than $100 billion.

The intent of the study is clear, but its projections raise a compelling question for all the network operators grappling with how to create new revenue opportunities and draw new customers, how to identify cost-saving measures in their networks, and how to spend in ways that best prepare them for the future.

All of these are issues the staff of SUPERCOMM is evaluating as we compile the conference program and speaker lineup for our June event, and all of these are issues that will be covered in our program. We welcome your feedback, ideas and questions here or at jmeyers@supercommshow.com.