350 gigabit networks have been launched worldwide

There have now been at least 350 gigabit-speed network deployments globally across wireline and wireless technologies, according to Viavi Solutions.

The network testing company’s new Gigabit Monitor database shows that there have to date been a further 164 deployments announced or under construction.

But Asia is behind the curve in terms of deployments – while North America has the largest share with 61%, and Europe is second with 24%, APAC, MEA and South America together only make up the remaining 15%.

Fiber is the most dominant gigabit technology, accounting for 85% of launched networks. Nearly all of the remainder, and 11% of the total, are based on HFC, while the final 3% are based on LTE-A.

Meanwhile 37 operators have announced plans to deploy 5G once the technology becomes available, with five planning a pre-standard debut as early as next year.

“The gigabit revolution is in full swing and faster speeds can’t come soon enough to feed an insatiable appetite for bandwidth,” Viavi CTO Sameh Yamany said.

“There are more than 20 billion connected devices and that number is continually increasing. For the consumer, there are obvious benefits. For society as a whole, research also shows that widely available broadband can be a driver for growth and jobs. And with a 100-fold increase in speed, service providers will need to ensure that their ecosystems are ready for the massive network evolution required to deliver the customer experience they envision.”