A UAE-based study by Etisalat revealed that fiber-optic next-generation infrastructure reduced carbon emissions by approximately 85 per cent.

Etisalat’s investment in fiber-optic infrastructure not only provides futuristic services, it also significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide which is produced by communications activities from every individual and business within the country.

Etisalat sees its deployment of fiber-optic technology as part of its corporate responsibility to gear the country with the best technology in the world, and also, to support a sustainable future.

The Etisalat study compared 5,000 homes in the UAE which were connected by fiber-optic networks against homes that were serviced by Etisalat’s legacy infrastructure. The study found that fiber-optic systems can transport different types of data over one cable and one network. In the past, cable TV, fixed-line telephony and fixed-line Internet each had its own infrastructure and power. Today, Etisalat’s fiber-optic network provides all services across one platform eliminating two complete national networks.

Further, the fiber-optic system can transport data over much greater distances. The facilities required to manage the fiber-optic network need only be built at 12km intervals, compared with the legacy system which required a building or station to be constructed every 2.5km. Not only does this require less power and fuel to keep the buildings operational, but it also cuts down on maintenance and staff transport.

Etisalat’s fiber-optic network has been deployed nationwide and its engineering teams are now working door-to-door to connect every household in the country by 2011. To date over 670,000 homes have been visited and can now access the latest communications and entertainment services via a subscription to Etisalat eLife.-TradeArabia News Service