Fiber optics is the future: Chapel Hill should update communication technology

The Town of Chapel Hill should approve a project that replaces the network that runs town traffic signals with a faster and cheaper alternative — fiber optics.

Currently the town uses DSL to network its municipal services.

This technology uses telephone wires to transmit information.

The project proposes to replace the DSL network with fiber optics. This more efficient technology transmits information through pulses of light.

And the endeavor to implement the system wouldn't cost much.

The state would provide $5 million for the project leaving Chapel Hill to pick up the remaining $600000 bill.

The project might even save the town money as private telecommunications vendors such as AT&T; or Time Warner bid on the use of the fiber optic lines.

Consumers also stand to benefit — the price of Internet access could also fall when competition for the use of fiber optics lines increases.

And Internet speed would stand to increase.

The discrepancy in technology is large one. DSL is on its way out and fiber optics is far a more effective way of transmitting information according to Will Bosley" the manager of an on-campus multimedia lab that is networked by fiber optics.

""The difference in the ability to transmit information is like the difference between using a scooter and a bus"" Bosley said. You're going to be able to carry a lot more.""

Even though fiber optics would initially be aimed at expanding the town's traffic signal system" running these lines would lay the groundwork for private use such as faster internet access.

With the benefits that come from a project with relatively little cost and the possibility for fiscal gain the town should seriously consider moving forward with this plan.