So why don't US citizens get this?

Mon Jul 28 17:39:23 UTC 2008

Jean-François Mezei wrote:
> Does population density still REALLY matter ? Considering that fibre
> optic cables have a far longer reach than  copper, and considering that
> the utility poles already exist in less densely populated areas, it
> would seem to me that fibre would be a superior alternative to copper,
> especially when you consider the costs of setting up remotes all over
> the place for copper.
> 
> 
> And I would reckon that laying fibre along existing utility poles to
> reach 200 homes would cost far less than laying fibre in a concrete high
> rise appartment building to reach 200 appartments.

My understanding is that for a rural area, in a completely new rollout 
or a forklift upgrade, fiber is cheaper than copper. However, because 
the majority of the copper that is currently deployed is still highly 
serviceable, it is very difficult to justify tearing out perfectly good 
copper and laying out fiber in it's place.

-- 
Josh Cheney
josh.cheney at gmail.com
http://www.joshcheney.com