Sage Reports on FTTD

NATICK, Mass. -- Nearly 25% of organizations currently have multimode fiber in their horizontal networks, and that number will rise to 33% over the next two years according to a recent survey of US businesses published by Sage Research, Inc. "Our research shows that fiber-to-the-desktop is no longer restricted to early adopters--it is moving into the mainstream," notes Kathryn Korostoff, Sage's President. "Despite this growth, however, there are significant factors that may affect even wider adoption of fiber-to-the-desktop. These include improvements to copper-based solutions, the perceived relative high-cost of fiber optic cabling, and wireless alternatives." Despite strong growth in multimode fiber use, Cat 5 will remain the dominant cable type in the horizontal network through mid 2003. Even though Cat 5 use will decline, 72% of organizations plan to still have at least some of it in their horizontal network in two years. "Consistent with Sage's studies on network cabling over the past seven years, there is a strong preference for copper cabling, with many companies investing in next-generation copper products rather than choosing fiber." notes Ms. Korostoff. "This current study reveals strong interest in Cat 6 products among those organizations planning cabling upgrades."Sage Research Inc.