BUSINESS solutions S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 3 To understand the importance of building fiber networks, it’s useful to look back at a couple of other lifechanging infrastructure projects. By 1900, much of our nation’s railroad system was in place; it cleared the way for the settlement of the West, provided new economic opportunities and stimulated the development of communities. In the 1950s and 1960s, the new Interstate Highway System brought business to the towns it went through, while towns far from the new faster roads struggled to survive. Today, fiber is becoming as essential to business growth, and everyday life in general, as railroad tracks and highways were in the previous century. Fiber is the Next Utility The huge impact of fiber is even more amazing when you consider just how tiny fiber is; each strand of glass is only about the size of a human hair. Fiber uses light to transmit data and is unique in its ability to transport virtually unlimited bandwidth over long distances. It’s the only technology that delivers enough bandwidth—reliably and at a low enough cost—to meet the ever-increasing demand for more robust internet, video, and voice services as well as other applications. Thanks to fiber, internet speeds of 1 Gig (1,000 Mbps) and higher are becoming more readily available. Why do we need all this bandwidth? Here are a few reasons: • Businesses are making a massive shift to cloud services. For economic efficiency, their critical systems now operate at remote data centers rather than on-site computers. The speed, reliability, and security of fiber connections make cloud services viable. • The American Telemedicine Association notes that telemedicine has gone from a side feature of the health care system to an expectation. • Services such as distance learning and remote energy management are expected to keep growing significantly in the coming years. • Businesses and individuals are uploading more videos and streaming more content. When fiber networks come to smaller cities and rural communities, it helps level the playing field and close the urban-rural technology gap. Existing businesses can access the internet speeds and reliability needed to expand e-commerce. Economic development organizations have an easier time attracting new businesses. And educational opportunities, once only found in large schools, can now be delivered to rural classrooms via online education. Venture Communications has long been a supporter of fiber networks and recognizes their importance in enabling communities to thrive, especially those in remote or rural areas. It’s also a key to business growth, especially in rural areas
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