Expect lots more roadworks as broadband demand keeps rising

Next time you get inconvenienced by roadwork digging up streets for full-fibre broadband, consider putting up with it. Research from Cambridge University suggests (for the UK) we can expect a lot more. The detail is Existing infrastructure will be unable to support demand for high-speed internet. The nutshell is:

We want to stream more TV and work from home on VPNs so demand for broadband is rising. Despite investment, a lot of broadband still users copper to the home for the last leg. The research shows there is headroom but a theoretical limit — that limit is not enough.

Enter full-fibre end to end (or something more exotic to yet be provided) so expect a lot more digging as old infrastructure is replaced. Even if your area uses the wires from telegraph poles down the street, there’s still a lot of backbone digging to feed these areas. Expect a lot more roadworks for some years to come.