The latest VDSL, G.Fast and Next Generation FTTH Strategy and Provider Leadership Survey surveyed 20 global fixed-line broadband operators on their views on next generation broadband technology. The survey found that 40% of operators surveyed said they would introduce gigabit broadband services in 2017, compared with 15% this year.

        Infonetics analyst Jeff Heynen noted that broadband revenue is an important tool for fixed-line operators to offset declining voice business. The main driving force for the development of fixed-line broadband services is online video services. Multi-screen display, smart home, security are the most important applications of fixed-line broadband in the future.

        The news release did not mention which carriers Infonetics sent the survey to, or whether they included Chinese carriers. Although we don't have that information, based on this survey, we can still play with it. Operators in China are also expected to introduce gigabit FTTH in 2018. The reasons for this prediction are listed below. Let's see if it makes sense.

        Broadband China's grand strategy requires China's telecom operators to catch up with the world broadband development trend.

        The opening up of broadband access to private companies is expected to introduce more competition in the sector.

        100M fiber to the home has been in development for quite some time, and the next step should be gigabit.

        Online video is growing faster in China.

        Although the decision of China's telecom operators is difficult to predict at the micro level, China will catch up when gigabit FTTH becomes the mainstream of the world at the macro level, slightly later than advanced countries, but earlier than other countries. This was particularly evident when FTTH was introduced into China.