The Fiber Broadband Association looks at the sustainability of fiber versus cable broadband and finds that “Fiber Broadband Deployment is Paramount To Achieving Zero Carbon Footprint”…

Fiber networks offer significant carbon footprint advantages over HFC [Hybrid Fiber Coaxial] networks, from manufacturing of the components, through installation and operation of the network. In the manufacturing of its components, an FTTH PON network reduces carbon footprint by 60% compared to an HFC network, due to lighter cables and fewer active network components. The carbon footprint associated with installation of a fiber network is 7% less than in an HFC network. \Operationally, an FTTH XGS PON network reduces carbon footprint by 93% to 96% versus a comparable DOCSIS 4.0 HFC network, through the elimination or reduction of field powered devices. At the customer premises, an FTTH ONT cable modem reduces carbon footprint by 18% versus a DOCSIS 4.0 cable modem. Overall, this analysis demonstrates that a fiber network is the more sustainable choice for broadband infrastructure deployment than a DOCSIS network.

To evaluate the Carbon Footprint, Return On Investment (ROI) of an HFC to FTTH conversion, consider an FTTH overbuild and 4-year conversion of 500 homes passed (300 homes connected, assuming 60% take rates) HFC network vs. a “Do Nothing” scenario where we continue to operate the HFC network for another 10 years.

The one-time investment to overlay fiber results in an incremental carbon footprint for Year 1.

• This incremental carbon footprint comes from the manufacturing and installation of new components necessary to pass 500 homes.

• It is projected to take a span of three years to transition all 300 HFC subscribers over to the fiber network.

• In order to factor in subscriber turnover, the embodied carbon involved with installing new drops and ONTs accounts for the remaining 40% of addressable customers at a conservative estimate churn rate of 10% annually.

• By the end of the third year, the conversion of all 500 customers is anticipated to be completed, and within the subsequent four years all 500 homes have drops and ONTs placed because of churn.

• At the conclusion of the third year, the assumption is to shut down the HFC network, whereby only the operational carbon footprint persists. This simple analysis excludes any carbon footprint associated with maintenance truck rolls for either network types.

• In year 6, total carbon footprint of the “Do Nothing” scenario is expected to surpass those from the FTTH overbuild, positioning fiber as the definitive choice for long-term sustainability