A new technology could be deemed “successful” when it reaches widespread adoption within a community or industry. Much of this is subjective. Within broad parameters, new technologies typically start as a laboratory project. Sometimes a new technology is born as a result of construction of a specialized one-of device to perform a very specific function. Space program development spun off numerous technologies and continues to do so. For example think “Tang” orange flavored drink.

By design or by serendipity, a new application will occur to a developer or user of the new technology, and suddenly the “new thing” is all the rage. With each new application, even newer ones seem to occur and new industries and uses seem to appear without warning. Think “Velcro” brand fasteners. Hook and pile tape is used for clothing fasteners, cable ties, and virtually every kind of closure for personal products, such as men’s wallets, shoes, and laptop computer cases.

Examples abound in the world of consumer electronics, and in a broader sense, consumer “technology”. Think compact disks (CDs), DVD’s, and electronic cameras. (Look ma! No film!). CD’s and DVD’s deliver computer programs, movies, music, and now are commonly used as data storage devices replacing floppy drives and even backup tape drives. Hard drives become tiny while capacity increases dramatically.

A recent article in Business Communications Review (April 2006) entitled “Rise and Fall of 10-Gigabit Ethernet Pricing” provided an excellent review of ethernet network technology deployment from a price/capacity standpoint. Without specifically addressing the ethernet technology from a purely life-cycle standpoint, the article nevertheless clearly illustrated the very thing.

Fiber optic cable deployment and use is clearly in the early stages of widespread adoption and adaptation, with continent-wide networks now in place and a spreading fiber optic network bringing very large capacity network service into ever more remote communities. More applications utilizing fiber optic cable are becoming affordable and available, especially within the computer networking application.

The sheer capacity of fiber optic cable for data transfer is currently unmatched, and continues to grow as fast or faster than the recent geometric growth of computer technology capability. As computer speeds seem to double every 12 to 18 months, network capability also tends to expand to allow full use of the new computers.

Fiber optic cable is now a price and performance alternative to the copper-based computer networks that have dominated for the past several years. The price point for fiber optic cable has reached that of copper alternatives. Copper-to-fiber media adapters and converters are a few hundred dollars or less. In a campus environment, these costs are trivial and with a continued drop in cost, fiber optic based network elements become the solution of choice.

Current applications for service delivery over fiber optic networks are every bit as cost effective as other solutions, with significant performance benefits and value not available with copper and wireless (radio) based networks. Perhaps the most significant benefit is the virtually unlimited potential that fiber optic cable provides. Once installed, the capacity and functionality of a single-mode fiber optic network is practically limited only by the electronics installed at each end of the fiber strands. It is now possible to routinely provision fiber optic cable plant with multi-gigabit capability.

For businesses or agencies with multiple locations within a fiber optic network ‘footprint’ and that have a requirement for high capacity connectivity, fiber optic cable provides the most versatile and most cost affective means to connect. As demand grows, so too the available cable plant footprint grows. Public agencies such as Northwest Open Access Network (NOANET) and Public Utility Districts, telephone companies such as Qwest and Sprint, and private companies such as Black Rock Cable serving Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and Island Counties, and NW Commnet serving Kitsap County continue to expand their networks.

For businesses and agencies upgrading buildings or constructing new buildings, installation of conduit and making internal provisions for fiber optic cable are as essential as providing for telephone, water and power. Whether a single location business needing high-speed access or a multi-location business, future growth and new applications will require business networks to “light ‘em up.” Do you have “fiber” in your business diet? If not, you should be seriously considering adding it.