Fiber broadband in emerging markets powers growth of digital economies

The rapid spread of fiber broadband connections in emerging markets is set to drive growth in those countries’ digital economies, according to the Financial Times-Omdia Digital Economies Index. India, Brazil, Kenya, and Mexico are among the countries highlighted by Omdia analysts as experiencing rapid take-up of fiber broadband, which is faster and more reliable than mobile or older copper-wire broadband connections. The Covid-19 pandemic, which left millions of people confined to their homes and reliant on the internet for work and entertainment, created a “tipping point” that led to “a greater appreciation for not just any connection but a high-quality connection," according to Omdia chief analyst Mike Roberts. “A lot of countries [said], OK, we’re just going to have to go for it and get this done,” he adds, referring to the cost of installing the technology. These costs can be significant, but can be reduced through “favorable regulation”. Then, once the network has been created, fiber broadband tends to be cheaper to operate and maintain, including much lower energy costs.