How full fibre infrastructure can help a development’s green credentials

Green fibre - ClearFibre

Sustainability has become key to almost everything that we do, as we’ve realised the negative implications of a ‘disposable’ mindset. We must take care of the environment and develop in a way that’s in harmony with our natural surroundings rather than working against them.

This isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Today’s consumers often have ‘green’ ideals near the top of their priorities. As a developer, improving your green credentials can attract customers and perhaps be the key difference in their purchase decision.

Fibre optic technology isn’t just technically superior to copper wiring, it’s also a more sustainable solution for the planet.

Fibre is an enabler for fully connected homes and offices

Many companies are learning during the pandemic that their office employees can be just as effective, not to mention happier, working from home. Schools are discovering new and innovative methods to deliver learning. Some of this will remain even after the pandemic has subsided.

As workers and students are able to do more from home, vehicle emissions will drop and our carbon footprint will shrink. The faster speeds and greater bandwidth of fibre optic networks are enablers for this shift. Fibre is technically superior to copper wiring. Firstly, it’s faster – light in a fibre cable travels faster than electrons in a copper wire. Secondly, there’s less data loss. While electrical pulses grow weaker with distance, light pulses maintain much more of their original energy. This, in part, leads to greater bandwidth.

As we continue to do more from our homes – streaming, live video calls etc – the demand for full fibre will continue to increase.

Glass manufacturing vs copper mining

The manufacture of glass fibre optics is another area where full fibre proves to be a more sustainable solution.

Like other precious metals, copper is mined from the earth. The environmental impact is obvious. Mine sites don’t just devastate the immediate natural landscape around the mine, they release chemicals into the air and land surrounding the mine that can leach into local groundwater.

Mining could be considered the opposite of sustainable practice.

Fibre optic cables, meanwhile, are made from glass, which in turn comes from silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide is one of the most plentiful materials in the earth’s crust, and can be extracted in a much more environmentally friendly method than copper mining.

Fibre uses less energy

It requires less energy to transmit the same amount of data over a fibre optic cable than it does over a copper wire. Studies have demonstrated a 70% reduction in transmission energy required. If all copper data networks could be instantly transitioned to fibre, the results would be tremendous energy savings and carbon footprint reduction.

In addition, copper wiring is less efficient than fibre. This shows up in terms of heat; copper wires will become warm, which means energy is lost to the environment. This leads to the need for cooling systems at large data centres and network hubs, and anywhere else where the heat from copper cabling can lead to problems. With fibre, no cooling systems are needed. There is very minimal energy lost to the environment, so there is no heat to deal with.

It’s clear that fibre optic technology is superior to copper cabling. It’s also more sustainable. When a better technology brings with it greener characteristics, the choice should be simple.

By installing a ClearFibre solution in your building you can improve the overall green credentials and sustainability of your development, while providing your residents with the best-in-class hyperfast connectivity packages available.

Shaun Gibson is CEO of Telcom Group of which ClearFibre is a division. Please get in touch: shaun@telcom.ukFollow us on LinkedIn

Selected industry experts bring you insight and expert advice, across a range of sectors.

Subscribe for free to receive our fortnightly round-up of property tips and expertise

Selected industry experts bring you insight and expert advice, across a range of sectors.

Subscribe for free to receive our fortnightly round-up of property tips and expertise

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below