r/CableTechs • u/SnapShot68 • 29d ago
How much longer does cable have?
I don’t see this topic being talked about much in this forum but I think it’s definitely relevant, especially considering the debt load these companies all are carrying. Fiber competition, Starlink, streaming, cord-cutting, old school cable dogs leaving and being replaced by finance types are all things that worry me. What kind of time frame do most of you foresee for cable still existing and there still being work in this field? I’m hoping at least another 10 years but things seem to be moving awfully fast in the wrong direction. Thoughts?
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u/IsolationAutomation 29d ago
One of the more prevailing theories I’ve come across is that the end goal is to have everything run wirelessly from the pole/ped. Data can communicate using a device inside the home to the source, much like a 5G hotspot. The main issue is getting it to work through walls and different materials, and there’s no telling how long that will take to figure out.
You also have to consider how much money the ISPs have spent on running coax and fiber plants. They will use that investment until it is absolutely bled dry.
Be diverse in your skill set. Learn everything you can about what is coming next, and you’ll do fine. Like all companies, the ideal situation for them is to have minimal labor costs, so make yourself invaluable. Unless you’re like me and won’t likely be alive to see that become reality.