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Fiber to the desktop, Wi-Fi networks and copper prices affect plans. “The enterprise network is undergoing a major shift in emphasis that impacts cabling,” according to Jim Hayes of the Fiber Optic Association, the international non-profit professional society for the fiber-optic industry that develops educational programs and certifies fiber-optic technicians.

“Users expect mobility, demonstrated by the sales of laptops exceeding desktop computers and the popularity of mobile platforms like the BlackBerry and iPhone. Wireless has had growing pains, but with the advent of 802.11n, better cell phone data systems and the likelihood of success for WiMAX, users now have adequate wireless bandwidth practically everywhere and are not crazy about being tethered to a patch cord.

“The network of the future is certainly not recabling every couple of years with another UTP upgrade,” he adds. “If 10-Gigabit Ethernet needs to be delivered to the desk, it’s probably going to be on fiber, not just for the bandwidth, but also for the lower power consumption. But I’m betting on more mobile applications, with a backbone of fiber connecting wireless access points. That’s how cell phone networks are built, as well as many metro Wi-Fi networks.”

With most large enterprises already depending on fiber backbones, adding adequate wireless access is easy, and, of course, upgrades are simply a matter of replacing wireless access-point hardware.

Zone cabling with fiber to the zone hub is the first step to fiber to the desktop (FTTD). Fiber has been a crucial part of the campus and riser solution for years; now, fiber is reaching the horizontal plane in the structure with a host of economic and functional benefits.

Currently, plenum-approved communications cable dominates new building installs in the United States. Return-air plenum design is still less expensive than ducting feed-and-return HVAC. That brings up another area of concern: supply.

Copper continues to be…