Ziggo switches to fiber optics: the end of the coaxial cable
The well-known cable company Ziggo is set to change its network in the Netherlands. For years, the company has stuck to the traditional coaxial cable to provide internet and television. Now, however, it is clear that the era of coax is over and that the company is fully committed to the rollout of fiber optics.
Thanks to a technology called DOCSIS, Ziggo was able to compete with fiber-optic networks for years. This meant it was not necessary for the company to immediately invest billions of euros in replacing all the cables in the ground. In this way, the network remained fast enough for most users, while the company saved a lot of money.
However, the internet market in the Netherlands has changed. Customers increasingly need faster internet for working from home, streaming, and gaming. Fiber optics offer a more stable connection and are technically ready for the future. Ziggo's competitors have been installing fiber optics for some time, which has increased the pressure on Ziggo to innovate.
The transition to fiber optics is a major operation that will take a lot of time and money. Ziggo must lay new cables throughout the Netherlands to replace the old coaxial infrastructure. This process will be visible in many Dutch streets and neighborhoods over the coming years.
With this decision, Ziggo is choosing a new path. Although the company waited a long time, the investment in fiber optics is necessary to remain a major player in the Dutch market in the future.