Fiber's Vital Role in 5G — A Conversation with Futurum's Ron Westfall and Todd R. Weiss

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Todd Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye. Our conversation focused on: Nokia Driving Key PON-related 5G/Small Cell Innovations. The recent Fiber Connect 2023 event fully showed why fiber optics plays an essential role in 5G network builds and capabilities. Nokia, for instance, demonstrated its Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, 25G PON starter kit aimed at 10Gbp+ service opportunities, its Corteca home connectivity software aimed at monetizing and improving broadband experiences such as hybrid workforce environments, expanded its Network-in-a-box program, and strengthened its manufacturing presence in the US through deals with Sanmina in Wisconsin and Fabrinet in California. We discuss why these moves impact the 5G ecosystem, including Nokia’s 100G PON collaboration with Vodafone.  Ciena’s 5G xHaul Portfolio Syncs up With Key Operator Priorities. In 5G systems, accuracy in frequency, phase, and time synchronization is integral for optimizing RAN performance. We see operators are prioritizing using network timing distribution across their transport infrastructure to complement local Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at cell sites, providing a more resilient and flexible RAN architecture. Plus, we assess why streamlined visualization and management of timing and synchronization capabilities as well as transport versatility that supports network slicing are key to advancing xHaul innovation and broader adoption, and Calix’s ecosystem role in delivering such capabilities.  Calix Mobile Backhaul Portfolio Ready for Prime Time 5G Demands. Given that hundreds or even thousands of smartphones depend on the connection to their base station, we see that mobile operators hold their backhaul providers to the highest levels of performance in the industry. As a result, mobile operators want real-time visibility of circuit performance, increasingly demand bandwidth on demand flexibility, and fail-safe circuits. We delve into why Calix’s portfolio, such as the Calix AXOS E5 Ethernet Service Access Nodes, deliver the Carrier Ethernet 10G and 1G UNI service demarcation and Ethernet aggregation capabilities key to assuring operators can provide premium business and mobile backhaul services with operational efficiency and service assurance.