Fibre continues to dominate the conversation around connectivity going into 2023, with its speed and reliability making it a popular choice for business operations. Here\u2019s a look at some of the trends we can expect to see around business fibre in the New Year.<\/p>\n
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To understand the trends, here\u2019s a bit of background on this form of internet connection that is dominating the business space. With this system, fibre optic cables carry data in light pulses along glass tubes rather than the traditional copper cables or DSL lines. In terms of business fibre, also known as Fibre to the Business (FTTB), the system provides internet at scale for high demand.<\/p>\n
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Just to give you a better idea of why business fibre is on the trend list for 2023, here are some of the benefits of this connectivity.<\/p>\n
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The rollout of business fibre is creating several new trends that will positively impact businesses across the country in 2023. Here are our top five.<\/p>\n
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As fibre rollout increases, we\u2019re likely to see fibre optic for the business increase. In fact, in the past seven years we\u2019ve already seen a 4\u00a0200% increase in fibre subscriptions as fast and reliable connectivity becomes a must. In 2023, we\u2019re expecting to see fibre for business overtake fixed broadband subscriptions. Considering the pace with which digitisation has happened since the pandemic, business fibre subscriptions will rise substantially next year.<\/p>\n
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As a result of the increased business fibre adoption, businesses are going to benefit from streaming services, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication systems, video conferencing and more. This will provide support for remote and hybrid operations, making the workflow that much more seamless.<\/p>\n
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In 2020, the volume of data created was 64 zettabytes (that\u2019s approximately a thousand exabytes, a billion terabytes, or a trillion gigabytes). This has only increased over the past two years and will continue to rise as we head into 2023. With so much data being facilitated along business fibre, there is more need for cloud storage infrastructure and data centres.<\/p>\n
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Once limited to big cities, fibre optic cabling is now extending across the countryside and into the rural areas. This is great news for South Africa, where the digital divide has been exacerbating historical divides created by apartheid. With more business fibre in far-flung areas, rural entrepreneurs will be emerging, agricultural activities will become digitised and the economies in traditionally poorer areas can improve.<\/p>\n
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Artificial reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have been used effectively across a number of industries in developed countries, but there is now potential for South Africa to better adopt these technologies with business fibre. We can expect more fully immersive AR and VR going into 2023 for business use, bringing customers closer to business.<\/p>\n
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