The World Broadband Association (WBBA) has released new guidance to help investment continue to flow into the rollout of broadband networks across the world.
The ‘Broadband Investment Guidebook’, revealed for the first time at BDC Barcelona 2024 last month, details the key factors potential stakeholders must consider in order to make successful investments within broadband infrastructure, and how these will vary depending on the particular rollout circumstances. On the supply side, these will include cost per premises (passed and connected) while on the demand side, elements like subscription take-up rates are considered, among others.
“Investments in Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) rollouts and Passive Optical Network (PON) technologies are on the rise, with investors realizing the vast potential of broadband infrastructure,” said co-author and WBBA Working Group Co-Chair Kevin Halsey, VP Strategic Initiatives at Ookla. “For new and experienced investors seeking to make a compelling business case, the guide we have released will give them the tools they need to make informed decisions.”
Most of the global focus of investment in broadband infrastructure remains on the rollout of FTTP. However, there is growing interest in investments in other broadband technologies such as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and an increasing number of deployments of next-generation PON fiber technologies offering faster speeds of 10Gbps and above.
There has also been investments in networks aside from last mile access networks. Within data centers, AI application needs are increasing sharply, as the number of customers using generative AI continues to increase. As a result, data center networks with speeds of up to 400Gbps will soon become commonplace, with experimental installation at higher speeds already taking place. As the broadband infrastructure market continues to evolve in new ways, potential investors need greater support to navigate these developments and invest wisely.
Through the WBBA’s guidebook, stakeholders can assess the ways in which investments in broadband architecture can be improved. It covers measures that can help stimulate further demand for broadband, initiatives that reduce network rollout costs, and best practices and policies for further innovation.
“During any investment, operators make critical choices. They need to select the right funding model and assess whether they can finance rollouts alone for example,” said co-author and WBBA Working Group Co-Chair Longjie Xu, Senior Engineer at China Telecom. “Through our guidebook, we examine different methods readers can use to decide on the right model for their business requirements, letting them play a vital role in the financing of key broadband infrastructure.”
This insight also extends to the different business models available to potential investors, and the suitability of these in different investment scenarios.
“All stakeholders, whether from operators, governments, regulators or financial institutions can deepen their understanding of broadband infrastructure investments through the guidebook,” said Senior Principal Analyst, Broadband Technology at Omdia, Stephen Wilson. “We give them the insight they need to formulate their best broadband investment strategies through groundbreaking analysis and use cases. We hope it inspires more people to get involved and drive innovation in a fruitful market.”
The ‘Broadband Investment Guidebook’ can be found on the WBBA’s website.
Notes to Editors
About World Broadband Association
The World Broadband Association (WBBA) is a multilateral, industry-led association, providing leadership for digital broadband innovation across the next decade. The WBBA’s objective is to overcome industry challenges and support the drive towards the provision of broadband networks and services for all. To accelerate the healthy development of the industry, with sustainable benefits for stakeholders, end users, and society, the WBBA is committed to fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and ensuring universal access to high-quality broadband solutions.
