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“As early as 2018, we should expect to see the first
deployments of pre-standard 5G-enabled networks.“

LTE shares 3.5 GHz with other incumbent applications, and both think about your network upgrades of the past, you’ll realize that
LTE and WiGig work in the millimeter wave bands (10 GHz up to you are still using that same single mode fiber you deployed in
potentially 100 GHz). the 1980s. Because fiber is virtually inexhaustible in its capacity
5G brings together multiple waveforms, including LTE and WiFi and scales almost limitlessly as your needs evolve.
and their respective evolutionary road maps operating on cur- With the IoT (not to mention LED lighting and even LiFi – LED
rent and future licensed and unlicensed spectrum up to 100 GHz. data networking), the exploding number of connections in the
But what does this mean for users and the enterprises that ceiling brings us to question our network architecture. Why not
employ them? You will have a seamless experience that leverag- push that fiber-to-copper transition deeper into your network?
es multiple technologies across multiple bands (indoors and out) Why not maximize the part of your network that is a 50-year
for both your virtual reality glasses (high bandwidth, low latency) backbone and minimize the part that you need to touch every
and your tennis shoe tread wear monitor (low bandwidth). time you deploy new technology? Build it ‘fiber deep’ now, and
you won’t have to install new 100m copper every few years to ac-
Someday Is Today commodate emerging technology. At worst, you are making less
While 5G may sound like a far-off fantasy, but it’s much closer than 10m copper adjustments. Taking your fiber deep within the
than you might think. In fact, the entities responsible for creat- building not only maximizes your investment protection, but it
ing wireless standards are currently at work on standardizing also prepares you for the high-bandwidth, low-latency, high-con-
5G. Technology leaders and university researchers are already nection density of 5G.
testing elements of 5G technology, and wireless service pro- Unlike point-to-point copper solutions that have limitations
viders have started field trials with prototype hardware. As in bandwidth, power handling and distance, fiber is virtually
early as 2018, we should expect to see the first deployments of inexhaustible in its capacity and scales almost limitlessly as your
pre-standard 5G-enabled products. Large-scale deployments of needs evolve.
standards-based 5G products should come on board starting in
2020—less than three short years away. Build It Once, Connect It Forever
As early as 2018, we should expect to see the first deployments 5G isn’t just a novel idea—it’s inevitable. So is the fact that
of pre-standard 5G-enabled networks. network demands will continue to explode, and quickly. There’s
Emphasizing the idea that “someday is today” is the fact that no putting off preparing for it. Smart, forward-looking enterpris-
the infrastructure being deployed today for evolving 4G networks es will be taking the necessary steps now to make way for the
is being designed with an eye towards 5G. Outside, this is almost 5G revolution. It’s time to rethink your architecture, take more
exclusively fiber to each of the increasing density of radio nodes. fiber deeper into your network and ready your enterprise for the
future of wireless.
Fiber Outshines Copper
There’s no question that your enterprise—like all enterprises— Bill Cune is the Vice President of Commercial Technology in
will need to support an increasing number of connected people, Corning’s wireless networking and distributed antenna system
devices and things. With its virtually unlimited capacity, fiber business within the Corning Optical Communications sector.
offers the best and most cost-effective solution for future-proof- He is responsible for identifying and collaborating with key
ing your buildings’ network architecture to maximize the benefits external groups and future customers to understand and
of 5G for your users and your organization. evaluate potential opportunities within the wireless marketplace.
Of course, nearly all networks these days are a combination of Cune’s wide-ranging industry expertise enables him to provide a broad perspective
fiber and copper. Fiber is typically used for transporting aggregat- from which to evaluate new trends in the market and in technology.
ed bandwidth over longer distances, and copper is typically used
for the last point-to-point connection to a device. For a long time, 1 Turner, Vernon. “The Digital University of Opportunities.” April 2014.
this ‘copper in the horizontal’ approach has served us well. But Emc.com.
as we look to the future, it is likely that the limitations of copper 2 Danova, Tony. “Morgan Stanley: 75 Billion Devices Will Be Connect-
solutions in bandwidth, power handling and distance will cause ed to the Internet of Things by 2020.” October 2, 2013. BusinessInsider.
com.
us to rethink where the fiber-to-copper transition happens. If you

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