Skip to main content

[Blog] Part 1: AFL Partners to Boost Global FTTH Deployments

Published Date
Author Bailey Verreault

In today’s day and age, fast and reliable internet has become a necessity, highlighting the critical need for broadband deployment across the United States, particularly in rural areas. For nearly 40 years, AFL has been dedicated to expanding broadband access in underserved communities, helping to bring high-speed internet to areas that lack reliable infrastructure.

To boost connectivity and bridge the Digital Divide, the U.S. government has developed numerous funding programs focused on supporting the country’s roads and bridges, transportation systems and broadband infrastructure. Such programs include the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act. These initiatives are vital for expanding broadband infrastructure and ensuring that underserved communities gain access to high-speed internet.

BEAD is the single largest investment for broadband infrastructure ever passed by the federal government. It’s a $42.5 billion funding program targeted to close the digital divide and provide universal broadband coverage to all Americans by the year 2030. BABA establishes a minimum domestic preference threshold for the manufacturing of any component which attaches to or is part of the infrastructure.

Despite the availability of funding, deploying FTTH networks, especially in more remote regions, presents several challenges, including limited availability of skilled labor and physical constraints. To overcome these challenges, innovative solutions that simplify deployment, reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term sustainability are essential.

At the forefront of this effort are industry leaders like AFL and CommScope, who have recently partnered to drive innovation and simplify FTTH deployments across the globe. AFL’s recent licensing agreement with CommScope to produce Prodigy® universal FTTH hardened connectivity solutions marks a significant step in AFL's commitment to supporting Broadband expansion. The Prodigy line of hardened connectivity drop cables and terminals offers several key advantages for FTTH deployments—especially in rural areas with limited resources. This partnership will lead to faster FTTH rollouts, helping to connect millions of people to reliable broadband access.

Furthermore, AFL’s Powered by Prodigy® products will meet the requirements of the BEAD waiver for the Build America, Buy America Act.  This ensures that network constructors will be able to use these products with the knowledge that they are supporting US manufacturing and meeting the requirements of the BEAD program.

In Part Two, we’ll explore the specific advantages of this partnership, the innovative features of Prodigy solutions and how these efforts are transforming the future of broadband access.

For more information on AFL's commitment to connecting America, visit our Connecting America webpage or reach out to us at ConnectingAmerica@aflglobal.com.