The FTTH Conference 2023 programme will feature up to 28 expert workshops, 18 conference panel sessions and multiple keynote speeches offering insights from leading policy makers, business leaders, technology experts and investors.
'Workshop' day at the FTTH Conference is an unmissable part of our event. Up to 28 expert workshops on a wide range of FTTH and other fibre enabled technology, regulatory and service subjects, organised in 7 parallel tracks by members of the FTTH Council Europe with the support of Board Members and our Committee chairs. No need to book, simply access whichever workshops you are interested in. Workshop program to be confirmed by end of January.
18 April 2023 09:30-11:00 Session
FTTH networks have now a significant footprint in Europe. Initial deployments have mainly adopted G-PON technology, but increasingly XGS-PON is being deployed to respond to increasing bandwidth needs and address new applications.
This workshop will look at the PON technology roadmap beyond XGS-PON and discuss the transition path and ground rules around deployment of next generation PON technologies. Recent developments in standardization and technology for 25G and 50G PON will be covered, while looking ahead to a 100G future.
Operators require a successful technology transition strategy, covering the needs of today while being prepared for what comes next. That strategy should cover all aspects from the optical distribution network, deployment and measurement techniques on the one hand. On the other hand, adoption of next generation PON technology offers an unique opportunity for service providers to implement significant steps to radically redefining the architectures of the access and aggregation networks to deliver residential, business and wireless services.
The fair share debate is about the possibility that online providers may be required to pay broadband providers to fund the roll-out of VHCN in the European Union. The panel intends to elaborate such subject with specific focus on the development fibres in the EU.
Investment in fiber access networks has been growing rapidly. Last year FTTH council reported over half of European households can connect with fiber. This wide availability now comes with two questions: can we do more with this available fiber infrastructure and can we make sure that the premium service fiber is delivering can benefit all devices in the home. On top of this, given that fiber is now available at corner, every building, why not use it for more than just residential services? What are new services beyond residential that may benefit ? What are the new visionary applications that users are dreaming about ? What are the networking requirements these applications require ? How can we make sure that users experience the full benefit of the fiber service all the way up to the device ?
All these questions will be addressed in this workshop, organized by the D&O committee which offers a wide view from developers, over operators to system vendors.
Starting from the EU targets to achieve neutrality by 2050. We will provide the basic understanding of the tools and how to apply these to the fiber industry as the FTTH Council. Part of this is how we as an industry are working together to set standards. Finally we will give some examples.
In a European market where provider fixed voice and IPTV revenue is declining what are the technologies, use cases and standards that enable SPs to differentiate and generate new ARPU.
From cost effective managed services in the Wi-Fi home to new QOE aware service containers.
Contents available soon.
Zoom on the Turkish FTTH market, one of Europe’s largest broadband markets with 84m inhabitants and over 25m households. The market has shown strong demand, remarkable growth and significant upside potential, but also challenges such as relatively low ARPU and a tough macro-financial environment. Already a serious FTTH player in Europe, Turkey has the opportunity to leapfrog even further ahead by playing its cards right.
The workshop will discuss the regulatory context, market developments to date, key issues & challenges and opportunities to accelerate, taking into account demand-side and supply-side drivers and also looking at other European countries experiences and choices.
18 April 2023 11:00-11:30 Break
18 April 2023 11:30-13:00 Session
Deploying a FTTH network at such a rapid pace across numerous cities comes with numerous challenges. Using Cityfibre's model as a case study this work shop will show how to counter these challenges by employing robust build practices that ensure projects are delivered in a timely manner to a high standard.
These build practices include high specification product selection, Cityfibre specific training programmes for all build partners, defined deliverables from build partners. This deliverable outlines the physical network deployment and also optical performance.
The workshop will address a key challenge facing our industry: how to boost the fibre network adoption and what role policy and regulation can and should play. While the FTTH/B rollout coverage in Europe now amounts to 57% and is progressing steadily, the take-up rate is yet to reach the 50% mark, with considerable differences at country level. In practice, this means that only 27% of the population is effectively connected to a full fibre network. Based on the insights from the study commissioned by FTTH Council Europe to Plum Consulting on FTTH Adoption Drivers and Hurdles in Europe, the workshop will look at the possible ways how policymakers can address this challenge.
Fiber-to-the-business? Why not inside the business, taking fiber and power all the way to the edge of the network and the endpoints with a green fiber-based LAN technology ready for 10G devices and beyond, and testing tools and procedures that allow to deploy on time and within budget.
Contents available soon
We give the floor to leaders in charge of attracting talent into our industry. Attracting the right people is more critical than ever, a lack of a diverse and creative talent pool will slow deployment plans and reduce organisational competitive advantage.
In the European FTTH landscape, Spain is a virtuous example: having set up early the right framework for the operators to invest in fibre, it’s now enjoying a very high level of coverage, and an encouraging penetration rate. How was that possible, and what are the lessons learned, which other countries may be interested into? Which are the next challenges that Spain is now facing as a mature FTTH market?
We are going to answer this with the point of view of key experts in the Spanish market, ranging from the Tier 1 operators, to alternative and rural operators, as well as policymakers
In this two-part workshop we will Explore the various strategies and best practices for deploying FTTx networks in an efficient and cost-effective manner, despite resource scarcity. We will Cover the latest advancements in fibre optic technology and how they can be leveraged to simplify and streamline network developments. We will also show the benefits of pre-connectorized solutions. And finally, we will delve into the challenges and opportunities facing fibre optic network deployments in the UK, and how hardened fibre connectivity has helped address them.
18 April 2023 13:00-14:00 Break
18 April 2023 14:00-15:30 Session
FTTH networks in Europe are mainly based on G-PON technology. However, it appears necessary to upgrade them, to stay competitive in the future with new capabilities and users’ demand (10 Gbit/s and download/upload symmetry). XGS-PON offer these possibilities and some operators are already upgrading their network or deploying compatible OLTs. Nevertheless, solving the last mile XGS-PON deployment challenge implies considering, between others, the constraints related to the use of new wavelength.
Furthermore, shall operators who are still at the beginning of their deployment opt immediately for XGS-PON? The strategies to migrate from G-PON to XG-PON will most probably rely on Combo solutions (both technologies on the same line), but how is it actually implemented and how long shall the transition period last? In addition, further evolutions of the PON technologies should be anticipated.
Exploring Technologies and procedures that help Netco’s to keep track of and document the status, health, and value of their outside plant. Limiting expensive service visits and time-consuming repeated truck rolls is fundamental to reduce unnecessary costs
The fibre rollout is on its way in order to help achieve the 2030 European connectivity goals. Main challenges are adoption of VHC and marked differences in between Member states. This workshop will identify the benefits of copper switch-off for operators and society alike. In the second session we will focus on the policy implications of “getting it right”. Are there lessons to be learned from the early birds among the member states? And how should the different market and rollout situation among Member States influence the correct policy response to achieve high fibre adoption, as well as sustainable retail and deployment competition?
OpenFiber, STL and Deutsche Glasfaser will host an interdisclpinary discussion on both Regulatory and Industry perspectives.
In the past, the two most important success factors for a full-fibre build were cost and time to market. But today, there’s a third factor: sustainability.
Often, the cheapest, fastest, and most environmentally friendly way to deploy new fibre is to use an existing right of way.
In this workshop you will learn how this works in practice, including:
• Asset reuse strategies that unlock new space in existing telco and public sector ducts
• Fibre deployment methods that avoid overbuild and accelerate time to market
• Optical cable innovations that deliver unprecedented fibre density
• Network infrastructure products that eliminate emissions and increase circularity with no compromise on quality
Whether you’re an incumbent operator adding extra capacity, an agile competitor entering a new market, or a public sector organisation with assets that could be repurposed, join this panel of thought leaders and discover how to expand your network without increasing your footprint.
We will present an update of where the CSPs are in their journey to IBE and how they adapt to the challenges ahead, and we will discuss new trends and developments addressed by the updated IBE Guide.
We will hear from Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Kevin Robinson about what is happening with Wi-Fi 6E and 7, EasyMesh and other technologies, and how these will help get Wi-Fi to the next level.
Finally, to bring it all together, a case study is presented of how Deutsche Glasfaser successfully deployed Wi-Fi 6E in the field and the challenges they met along the way.
FTTH deployment in France has not been a long and quiet river. Through the eyes of experts, let’s look back on France’s greatest infrastructure project of the decade and its keys of success: standardisation, mutualisation, industrialisation of processes, telco equipment and human resource mobilisation.
18 April 2023 15:30-16:00 Break
18 April 2023 16:00-17:30 Session
From XGS-PON to what? What are the critical advancements needed in the Fiber Access network to release new use cases and services that subscribers will demand and pay for in the next 5 years? Reviewing the options for 25G, 50G and even 100G fiber access and what operators need to be aware of when deploying today and planning for tomorrow.
Accelerating rural FTTH deployments and take-up continues to be a challenge for both investors and service providers. Join us get unique insights into investment considerations for rural fiber assets. We will explore deployment landscape considerations for optimized design, planning, implementation, and ROI with real application use-cases.
Update on the policies and future plans from the EU Commission, progress & update of the German Federal broadband funding scheme, overview of award winning projects in broadband rollout as well as an exchange among the broadband community are in the focus of the workshop, delivered through a mix of keynotes and discussions.
Open access wholesale-only business models face unique challenges when it comes to marketing, as they typically have limited opportunities to interact directly with end consumers. The marketing approach needs to be more creative to deal with different barriers and be effective in promoting this type of business: How to identify the right target audience? what is better to communicate B2B or B2B2C?, how to gain new insights and create guidelines that work? What are the implications of building and operating an open access FTTH network?
Join us to learn first-hand about best practices and practical experiences from across Europe.
This workshop will dive into the fibre investment considerations of HFC networks from a topology and service perspective. Cable Operators were on the forefront of Fibre deployments already decades ago; leaving only the very last mile based on Coax. We now see a trend that this last Coax mile is, and should be, subject to investment reconsiderations.
Data drives the deployment and service assurance. Topics of field work, service activation, assurance and monitoring are covered with experience of the fast growing Galician FTTH network Vento Rede and network planning and network contractors.
The annual FTTH Conference is a unique event, bringing together 'C' level representatives, technical and regulatory experts from FTTH Council Europe member and non-member companies plus senior government and industry representatives, technology specialists, engineers, policy makers, regulators and investors to discuss and debate all aspects of FTTH and other fiber enabled technologies and services, and the benefit they bring to society. There is no other conference quite like it.
19 April 2023 9:30-9:45 Keynote
FTTH Council Europe's President Eric Festraets welcomes all delegates of the FTTH Conference 2023 and kicks off the plenary session, by touching upon the Council's mission and vision, and taking stock of the hottest topics for the European FTTH industry in 2023.
19 April 2023 9:45-10:00 Keynote
The European commission recently presented a set of actions aimed at making Gigabit connectivity available to all citizens and businesses across the EU by 2030, in line with the objectives of Europe's Digital Decade, and to enable the transformation of the connectivity sector in the EU. What are the impacts of these initiatives on the European FTTH industry? How do they concretely support the deployment of full fibre infrastractures across Europe?
19 April 2023 10:00-10:20 Keynote
A focus on Spain's digital strategy and FTTH rollout and adoption plans: this session will deep-dive into the lessons we can learn from the successful fibre deployment happened in the country over the past few years, as well as into the challenges ahead for this very mature market. What is the Government's plan to make sure that all Spanish citizens enjoy the utmost benefits of fibre connectivity?
19 April 2023 10:20-10:40 Keynote
Deputy Secretary-General Ulrik Vestegergaard Knudsen will touch upon the OECD's ongoing initiatives to ensure access to high-quality broadband services at affordable prices for all citizens around the world, including its roadmap of policies and regulations with overarching principles to extend connectivity and improve the quality of broadband networks at global level.
19 April 2023 10:40-11:00 Keynote
What are the undergoing initiatives from the ITU and the challenges ahead of the industry in bringing high-speed sustainable digital connectivity to all? Let's hear from Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, as he spells out ITU'sstrategy in favour of the deployment of FTTH networks and the adoption of fibre-based services by end users.
19 April 2023 11:00-11:30 Break
19 April 2023 11:30-11:45 Session
Winners of the Operator Award, Individual Award, Charles Kao Award and the brand-new Woman in Fibre Award are announced during this special ceremony, hosted by the President of the FTTH Council Europe, Eric Festraets
19 April 2023 11:45-13:00 Session
While the economic context is increasingly challenging, how can our industry stay on course to achieve the goal of bringing full fibre networks to everyone and everywhere? Senior leaders from key European FTTH operators will review the state of play of FTTH deployment, with a future-looking perspective on the next opportunities and challenges ahead for the sector. Don't miss the opening panel to hear from some of the top leaders in the European FTTH industry and gain insights into the latest trends and developments in this critical sector.
19 April 2023 13:00-14:30 Break
19 April 2023 14:30-15:45 Session
Curious to know where your country will position on the leaderboard of our FTTH/B Market Panorama 2023? Join this panel as an expert line-up of speakers from different regions of the world will comment on the latest figures from our flagship report.
Together with the official launch of the Market Panorama, we will be presenting the FTTH/B Global Ranking, the FTTH/B Market Forecasts for 2023-2028 and an overview of FTTH/B deployments in rural areas. If you are keen on fibre market insights and trends, this is the panel you cannot afford to miss!
What is the expected impact of the latest set of initiatives from the European Commission on the European FTTH market? Are we on track to meet the Commission's objectives for the digital transformation of Europe by 2030, as spelled out by the "Path to the Digital Decade" policy programme? What are the operators' strategies to support the achievement of such ambitious goals? How are regulators across Europe reacting to this dynamic scenario?
This thought-provoking panel with prominent leaders from the European Commission, BEREC, and senior representatives from major fibre operators will answer these questions and much more, shedding light on the latest policy and regulatory developments affecting the FTTH market.
There is no doubt that the FTTH industry is experiencing unprecedented technology developments. The transition to 10G and beyond, the convergence with 5G, the decommissioning of copper networks, adapting the infrastructure to future applications running on fibre, and avoiding in-home connectivity from becoming a bottleneck are only some of the key technology issues that major fibre players from all around Europe are facing today.
Are you curious to know what is on the agenda of Chief Technology Officers from leading European FTTH operators? Join this strategic conversation as some prominent technology leaders spell out the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry.
19 April 2023 15:45-16:15 Break
19 April 2023 16:15-17:30 Session
Public and private investors strategies are shaping the European FTTH market. Will the investment surge we have been observing in the past few months continue? What is to be expected next and what does it mean for the ecosystem?
Senior representatives from some of the most prominent European investment bodies come on stage to share their perspectives on the business case of rolling out FTTH networks in Europe. With hands-on experiences and practical case studies of successful fibre business models, there is much to learn from such an expert panel.
While the expansion of FTTH infrastructures continues, it is important to also keep an eye on the new opportunities arising from this technology. With faster internet speeds and greater reliability, fibre networks open up a world of opportunities for new applications and services: from virtual and augmented reality to smart homes and cities, fiber networks are already transforming the way we live and work.
In this forward-looking session with prominent experts from some of the companies working on the internet-based services of tomorrow, we will explore the role of fibre networks in supporting emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, machine learning, telemedicine, online education, and entertainment, and how these will continue to flourish thanks to very high-capacity networks.
As countries around Europe continue to invest in full fibre coverage, it is important to consider what comes next: what happens when a market approaches 90% FTTH coverage? What are the next goals and challenges for all stakeholders as they adjust to a new paradigm?
This panel session brings together prominent experts of different backgrounds from the telecom industry, to discuss the experiences and perspectives of countries already facing these issues. Be prepared for a thought-provoking discussion on how telecom operators, investors, and regulators alike shall adapt their strategies to look beyond the priorities of today.
19 April 2023 17:30-18:30 Exhibition Hall Break
19 April 2023 19:30-midnight Platea Madrid Session
Fibration Night is the unmissable mid-week party bringing additional life and colour to our annual FTTH Conference. Bringing together around 500+ people, the event is the perfect opportunity to seek high quality entertainment during the FTTH Conference 2023: participants will have the chance to network, chat and relax, share views about latest FTTH developments and trends or simply grab a drink and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of PLATEA, a unique venue in the heart of Madrid. Click here to learn more.
20 April 2023 9:30-10:45 Session
Experts speakers representing the European fibre supply chain will discuss how the changing industry dynamics and investments are creating new market opportunities for fibre.
Final contents of this session to be confirmed.
With close to 30 million households still to be connected to fibre, Germany is arguably the most important market for the European FTTH industry. With the help of a very high-level speaker line-up, we will explore the unique characteristics of this rapidly evolving market, including the country's mix of urban and rural areas, and the opportunities presented by the growing demand for high-speed internet services.
Join us for a thought-provoking and informative panel session that will shed light on the state of FTTH in Germany, and the opportunities and challenges it presents for operators, investors, policymakers, and end-users alike.
20 April 2023 10:45-11:15 Break
20 April 2023 11:15-12:30 Session
With the emergence of multiple open-access operators and the development of network-sharing agreements between many European internet service providers, the fixed-line telecom landscape has gone through considerable changes. This obviously does not come without challenges, that this session will address.
Join this panel session, where the CEOs from some European open-access operators illustrate the business rationale behind opting for shared networks. Joined on stage by senior representatives of the digital infrastructure industry and the regulatory world, the panel will also touch upon the policy opportunities and roadblocks regulating the network-sharing market.
Probably one of the most dynamic markets in Europe, the UK has recently seen a spectacular increase in private initiatives supported by massive investments, which lead FTTH to be rolled out at an unprecedented pace in the past few months.
Despite this tremendous acceleration, the UK is still lagging behind other European countries when it comes to full-fibre coverage. What are the British operators’ strategies to mind this gap? How is the British government supporting the FTTH rollout? How is the investor community reacting to this moving scenario? Learn the latest from this very high-level roundtable with key industry players from the UK fibre market.
20 April 2023 12:30-14:00 Break
20 April 2023 14:00-15:15 Session
The question is no longer “if” nor “when”, but “how”. With the sustainability issue now having a regular seat in Board rooms, drastically limiting carbon emissions becomes an urgent priority at every stage of the FTTH value chain.
This unmissable session will bring together industry experts and thought leaders to discuss the best practices for promoting sustainability in the design, construction, and maintenance of fibre networks. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the role of the FTTH industry in addressing global sustainability challenges, and will be better equipped to develop and implement sustainable strategies in their own organizations.
We look forward to welcoming you!
#FTTH23
We give the floor to leaders in charge of talent management. Attracting the right people is more critical than ever for our industry where lack of human resources is potentially slowing down deployment plans.
FTTH coverage in rural and low density areas of Europe is lower than in other regions. Despite the ambitious targets in connectivity set by the European Commission for 2030, deploying fibre in these areas will remain a challenge for most countries for the years to come. How can we ensure that no village is left behind?
Let's hear from the successful experiences of some regional alternative operators, joined on stage by high-level representatives of the investors and regulatory world, debating over the business case of bringing fibre in rural areas.
Some of the most prominent representatives from the fibre industry had the opportunity to further comment on the most important technology, policy and finance issues, right after their intervention on stage during the last FTTH Conference in Vienna.
Prepare yourself for next year's edition of the world's largest fibre summit by reliving the highlights of its last edition held in Vienna on 23-25 May 2022.
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