FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All-Fiber Networks Now Less Expensive to Install than UTP Copper in Many LAN Scenarios

Second-generation cost model from the TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section and Pearson Technologies shows how reductions in fiber optic components have made fiber networks even more affordable.

 
Arlington, Va., October 29, 2003: A newly-released cost model developed by the Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and Pearson Technologies shows all-fiber networks to be the most cost-effective network solution for many LAN scenarios. The results of the cost model debunk the prevailing myth that unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper is a less expensive medium to install than fiber when evaluating installed first costs -- in all 12 of the scenarios featured, all-fiber networks offer the lowest cost solution when compared to vertical fiber/UTP horizontal networks.  
 
A Web conference to review the cost model and its findings is scheduled for November 20, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST. The Web conference is free and you can register online.  
 
The interactive cost model was developed as a tool to help users compare the installed first costs of all-fiber networks to those of vertical fiber/UTP horizontal networks. The second-generation cost model updates the version developed more than a year ago by Pearson Technologies and the FOLS, and reflects the fact that costs for fiber optic components and electronics are now lower. The model uses TIA and ISO standards-compliant centralized cabling (also called collapsed backbone) and fiber-to-the-zone architectures for the all-fiber scenarios. In addition, since the education market has widely embraced the use of fiber, a new K-12 scenario is included. The cost model can be fully customized to reflect each user's installation.  
 
"The second-generation cost model highlights how much the cost equation has changed over the last 18 months," said John Struhar, FOLS chairman. "When we released our cost model in 2002, it was big news that fiber was at cost parity, or even less expensive than UTP copper in some of the scenarios. Now the news is much bigger -- when users leverage the low attenuation and high bandwidth of fiber to centralize electronics, all-fiber networks offer the lowest cost solution in all the scenarios profiled."  
 
"The FOLS and Pearson Technologies developed these models because our members felt they would help users answer the most common question we receive about deploying fiber in the horizontal -- is fiber a cost-effective choice?" said John Struhar, FOLS chairman. "We teamed with Pearson Technologies as its president, Eric Pearson, has direct exposure to many end users, hears the questions that are in the field and has considerable experience in the challenges of comparing these types of network decisions."  
 
The model compares the cost of a horizontal-UTP/vertical-fiber network to the cost of a centralized fiber optic network compliant with the TIA/EIA-568-B.1 standard for commercial building telecommunication cabling. The scenarios are based on an eight-story building with 48 ports per floor. Category 5e or Category 6 cable is used in the UTP networks and either 62.5/125 micron (mm) or 50/125 mm multimode fiber can be used in the fiber scenarios. The horizontal runs average 150 feet in length.  
 
The scenarios offer users the opportunity to review several variations on the model, including list prices versus street prices, the use of SG-compatible equipment, media converters and 100BASE-SX standards-compliant products (TIA/EIA-785). While some of the results in the model are estimates for comparison, the spreadsheets offer users the ability to enter their own numbers and provide results that will guide them in their choice.  
 
"Many people know that optical fiber offers several benefits over the life of the network -- such as reduced maintenance costs, ease of upgrading and reduced downtime -- but the model developed looks specifically at installed first costs," explained Eric Pearson. "Lower lifecycle costs are an important benefit of deploying fiber, but they are also more difficult to quantify. We felt that installed first costs were so critical to end users that we wanted to focus on them in the model. Additionally, the model directly dispels the myth that fiber-based networks are more expensive than copper networks." Pearson added that he has used the cost models in presentations and workshops for the past year and finds that the structure is robust enough and flexible enough to allow users to easily model their own network choices.  
 
The interactive cost model is posted on the FOLS Web site at http://www.fols.org/resources/costmodel_reg.cfm as a Microsoft� Excel spreadsheet. A comprehensive supporting document explaining the various scenarios and providing detailed instructions for use of the model is also available on the site. Both documents can be easily downloaded.  
 
The Fiber Optics LAN Section of the TIA is a consortium of leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers. The FOLS focuses on educating end users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include 3M/Volition, ADC, Berk-Tek, CommScope, Corning, Corning Cable Systems, Fluke Networks, Leviton Voice & Data, OFS, Optek Technology, Ortronics, Pearson Technologies, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave and Tyco Electronics. Visit us at www.fols.org.  
 
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the leading trade organization serving the communications and IT industry, with proven strengths in standards development, domestic and international public policy, and trade shows. Through its worldwide activities, TIA facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a forum for its member companies, the manufacturers and suppliers of products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit us at http://www.tiaonline.org.