In 2021, optical fiber became the most popular option to access the internet in Latin America. It managed to get 45.25% broadband users, increasing its participation in the market by 36 points in just five years. According to Dataxis analyses, by 2032, fiber will represent 77.6% of connections, an event that will take place due to sustained market expansion and evolution and which is logically expected to continue in the same direction. In this scenario, fiber participation as the main source positions itself above all other technologies due to its dominant trajectory during this last period of time with outstanding infrastructure, which is presented as an upgrade for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and cable modem providers.
Fiber grew due to several factors that offer benefits with its implementation, such as increased speed, reliability and profitability. This is why fiber is currently used in many industries for different apps.
In Latin America, fiber takeoff was, without a doubt, marked by a strong demand for better connectivity, together with the growing need for FTTH. More users and more traffic results in a big demand for this type of superior performance infrastructure. Fiber technology became a key player to reduce the digital gap.
The leading cable systems in the region are now going through a transitioning process towards fiber. According to Dataxis, in the next decade, around 75% of Latin American homes will enjoy broadband services. Many companies have advanced to DOCSIS 3.1 technology, a process that is opening its way with some important operators involved, but they claim that they won’t wait for its 4.0 version.
New fiber networks are being incorporated parallel to the traditional ones. A transition that will be gradual since clients’ transference means large volumes of time and capital. Carlos Blanco, Dataxis senior analyst, claims that “internet connections via cable modem will keep providing internet to numerous homes by 2032, since it will retain 11% of its clients.”
Fiber tendency is also becoming the best choice for hundreds of new small and medium-sized enterprises. In Latin America, many fiber operators emerged and got a big market share in a small period of time: Claro in Argentina, Mundo in Chile, Megadatos in Ecuador, Win in Peru and Totalplay in México.
Dataxis’ response to the deployment of this data states that the true weight of fixed wireless access options will take place in 2027, with the improvement of 5G networks, allowing a wider coverage and competitive prices.
Taking into account all this information, fixed wireless networks in the market will have a participation of 11% by 2032.
