To address growing 5G demands, network operators are increasingly investing in network infrastructure to enhance capacity and deliver high-quality next-generation connectivity. With many infrastructure deployment strategies being used, operators who utilize future-proof technologies will receive higher returns on investment and greater customer satisfaction, advised Raymond Hagen, Global Product Manager at ProLabs.

Investments in 5G network infrastructure will account for six percent of the total wireless infrastructure revenue of Communications Service Providers (CSPs) in 2019, according to Gartner. In 2020, this figure is expected to reach 12 percent.

With operators making significant investments, they face the critical challenge of delivering 5G in a timely manner while also deploying infrastructure that will future-proof the network to meet increasing growing demands, warned Hagen.

“It is very important for network operators to consider long-term as well as short-term goals in their 5G network infrastructure expansion strategies,” said Hagen. “Everyone is racing to deliver 5G to attract customer satisfaction and positive return on investment however, investing in infrastructure that delivers in years to come will be the key differentiator of high-performing 5G networks down the line.”

Maximizing existing optical fiber infrastructure is a cost-effective solution to increase 5G network capacity which can deliver now and into the future. ProLabs solutions help to extend fiber connections on a single fiber to expand the capacity of existing infrastructure. For example, the ProLabs passive wavelength division multiplexers expand the number of fiber optic channels up to 80 times that of a standard grey optic. It does this by managing wavelengths and multiplying fiber optic connections on to a single fiber or fiber pair.

Hagen added, “For operators to deploy high-performing networks that deliver on return on investment in years to come, they must consider how to maximize the potential of existing infrastructure as it is the most cost-effective solution to deliver increased capacity. Our range of solutions include Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) to increase wavelength capacity on single fibers as well as rack mount solutions to increase the density in wire centers.”

Seven percent of CSPs worldwide have already deployed 5G infrastructure in their networks, according to Gartner. As more operators begin to deploy, there will be an increasingly competitive field for network operators to deliver high-quality next-generation connectivity to meet growing market demands. Those who invest in existing infrastructure will be the best equipped to address the increasing demands of the future, concluded Hagen.

The full ProLabs Passive Mux and Demux solutions include CWDM (coarse) and DWDM (dense) wavelength division multiplexers to maximize fiber infrastructure and future poof networks for 10G to 25G upgrades. The portfolio also includes rackmount solutions, splice trays and network cabinets to offer flexible solutions for managing and extending network infrastructure.