For Immediate Release
February 22 , 2006
FTTH Council and TIA statistics show another 1 million homes passed in 4 months
WASHINGTON – February 22, 2006 – Two leading telecommunications industry organizations, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), today announced new estimates showing FTTH deployments now passing over 3.6 million U.S. homes, an increase of almost 1 million homes in four months.
The new figures, released prior to the FTTH Council’s quarterly meeting in Washington, DC next week, show the most rapid growth of FTTH deployment to date, with more than 230,000 additional homes passed every month. (Charts showing growth are available here and at http://www.ftthcouncil.org/?t=84&category=2 )
“Typically telecom construction slows in winter months,” said Michael Render of market research firm Render, Vanderslice and Associates, which prepared the estimates. “To see acceleration at this time of year indicates increased preference for FTTH as an infrastructure of choice.”
The figures also show acceleration among homes connected by FTTH, which normally lags homes passed by several months. Over the last four months, the estimate shows, homes connected with FTTH have increased by 70% - to 548,000 subscribers from 322,000.
“FTTH deployments are increasing across all market segments.” said FTTH Council President Joe Savage. “Large communications companies, rural telephone cooperatives, real estate developers, and municipalities – are all turning to FTTH.”
TIA President Matt Flanigan emphasized the importance of next-generation broadband to the United States.
“This is a good sign, but we have to keep it up,” Flanigan said. “The nations that build extremely fast networks will gain very significant advantages. The United States must win the bandwidth race.”
Both organizations have urged policymakers to reduce barriers to next-generation broadband deployment, such as streamlining cable television franchising processes and allowing municipalities to build broadband networks.
About the Fiber-to-the-Home Council 
The Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to educate the public on the opportunities and benefits of fiber-to-the-home solutions. FTTH Council members represent all areas of broadband industries, including telecommunications, computing, networking, system integration, engineering, and content-provider companies, as well as traditional telecommunications service providers, utilities and municipalities. Communities and organizations interested in exploring FTTH options can find information on the FTTH Council Web site at http://www.ftthcouncil.org or by e-mailing info@ftthcouncil.org.
About the Telecommunications Industry Association
TIA is the leading trade association for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. As owner and producer of GLOBALCOMM™, TIA represents global ICT suppliers and their service provider and enterprise customers through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit us at http://www.tiaonline.org.
