UK Insights: FTTH Europe 2024

This year’s #ftth24, the annual conference meticulously organized by @fttheuropecouncil, took place in Berlin, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the FTTH Council Europe. 

With key themes of Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Take-up and Investment challenges, Hub27 at Berlin’s Messe conference centre saw over 3,200 industry members including CEOs, CXOs, and top experts from the telecoms and digital sectors, alongside influential policymakers from the European Institutions, Member States, and NRAs, as well as investors and financial analysts.  Hosted at Berlin’s Messe conference centre, more than 3,200 industry leaders gathered to delve into crucial themes of Sustainability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, as well as tackle Take-up and Investment challenges. Attendees included CEOs, CXOs, and top experts from the telecoms and digital sectors, alongside influential policymakers from the European Institutions, Member States, and NRAs. Additionally, investors and financial analysts were present, making it a comprehensive gathering of key stakeholders driving forward innovation and progress in these pivotal areas.  

Attending many of the expert panel sessions, absorbing keynote speeches, and expert-led workshops, Matt Harrison, Biarri Networks’ Regional Director for UK & EMEA, shares his invaluable insights gleaned from the dynamic three-day conference.  

It was a great opportunity to spend some time with colleagues from parent company Dura-line as well as meet up with old and new colleagues and customers. During the conference, I had the privilege of listening to industry experts as they delved into the imminent challenges facing the sector over the next 6-12 months. These include ongoing economic pressures, strategies for subscriber acquisition, aligning with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives, navigating regulatory policies that often favour incumbents over challenger AltNets, and the anticipated, yet necessary, consolidation within the industry. 

On a more encouraging note, it was also great to hear a genuine consensus of a return to more positive times in the medium-long term for those who can adapt their business operations and stay the course.  

There were many discussions surrounding the growing utilisation of AI, automation, and machine learning to aid organisations in adjusting their business operations and implementing efficiencies throughout the entire FTTP lifecycle. While the effectiveness of AI in photos may not be promising based on this example, it’s evident that other innovative solutions will undoubtedly play a significant role in the future of FTTP deployments.   

In many scenarios, there is no substitute for human input, but the onus is on us all to identify the use cases where can we streamline processes, automate heavy-lift tasks, and eliminate human error using technology. 

At Biarri Networks, our distinctive 'Human defined, Software designed' approach, which integrates our proprietary software tools with our network experts, positions us excellently to assist our customers in overcoming present challenges, how we can help with some of the challenges you are facing:  

• Improving how AltNets select potential deployment geographies through our Feasibility Level Design business modelling;  
• Producing Designs around bespoke parameters, for example, to help meet ESG targets where our design optimisation software can reduce materials, hardware and construction required to deliver fibre services;  
• Using our fully digitised and integrated design and field services (incl. TRR) solution utilising our FOND Collaboration platform;  
• Our As-Built Validation services where we can ensure inventory platforms actually represent what has been built in the field - something that is often neglected during the mad rush to pass homes - and is not only critical for day-to-day operations but as M&A activities accelerate, knowing what you are actually  acquiring becomes of paramount importance when carrying out due diligence on integration effort. 

If you're facing any of these challenges and would like to have a conversation to see how we might be able to help you, please get in touch with myself or Jan Moeremans. Or if you are attending Connected North we can arrange a meeting there.  

We’re already looking forward to Amsterdam next year at #ftth25 and we hope to see you there.