Panel: Defining the criticality of network upgrades AND expansion

Connectivity is indisputably critical infrastructure, but much investors want to know more about expansion plans than enhancing the existing network footprint. Nevertheless, there needs to be an evolution of the technologies behind networks in order to facilitate the drive towards automation. Operators need to work out how to optimize their existing fibre, as well as where to invest in network upgrades and how to build cost effectively to compete with hyperscalers. This session will emphasise the urgency of upgrades to continue to be fit for purpose, how terrestrial and subsea optical transport technologies will evolve beyond the current roadmap, effectively managing supply chain shortages and the potential to differentiate services using hollow core fibre or silicon photonics for example.