Building Sustainable Fiber Optic Connectivity: The Role of Engineers in Achieving SDGs with Professionalism and Ethics


Authors : Sonny Mochamad; Ir. Hartono Pranjoto; Dr. Ir. Ivan Gunawan

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 4 - April


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3cufyhdp

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4z4kay5j

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25apr2274

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The rapid expansion of fiber optic connectivity presents a transformative opportunity to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while posing significant ethical and implementation challenges for engineers. This paper examines how sustainable fiber optic infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for achieving SDG targets in education (SDG 4), healthcare (SDG 3), industry innovation (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13). Through a multidisciplinary analysis, we explore the critical role of engineering ethics in guiding responsible deployment, emphasizing principles of equitable access, environmental sustainability, and data security. The study identifies key implementation barriers including high infrastructure costs, geographical constraints, regulatory fragmentation, and skills shortages, while proposing solutions through innovative engineering approaches and cross-sector collaboration. Findings suggest that professional engineers must balance technical excellence with ethical considerations to ensure digital inclusion and minimize ecological impacts. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating sustainability frameworks into fiber optic network design, advocating for policy reforms, and strengthening ethical guidelines in engineering practice. By aligning technological innovation with SDG imperatives, the engineering community can position fiber optic connectivity as both an infrastructure priority and a vehicle for equitable global development.

Keywords : Fiber Optic, Sustainable Development Goals, Ethics, Sustainable Connectivity, Digital Infrastructure, Digital Inclusion, Sustainable Infrastructure.

References :

  1. Fuchs, C. (2020). Communication and capitalism: A critical theory. University of Westminster Press.
  2. Greenpeace. (2021). Clicking clean: Who is winning the race to build a green Internet? Greenpeace International. https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/reports/click-clean/
  3. Hassan, R. (2020). The condition of digitality: A post-modern Marxism for the practice of digital life. University of Westminster Press.
  4. IEEE. (2020). Ethically aligned design: A vision for prioritizing human well-being with autonomous and intelligent systems (1st ed.). IEEE Standards Association.
  5. International Telecommunication Union. (2021). Connecting humanity: Assessing investment needs of universal broadband coverage by 2030. ITU Publications. https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR06-2021-Connecting-Humanity.aspx
  6. Latzer, M., Hollnbuchner, K., Just, N., & Saurwein, F. (2016). The economics of algorithmic selection on the Internet. In Handbook on the economics of the Internet. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  7. Mansell, R. (2017). Imagining the Internet: Communication, innovation, and governance. Oxford University Press.
  8. Melody, W. H. (2021). Building digital economies in Africa: Policies and practices that work. World Bank Group. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1553-9
  9. Pearce, J. M. (2012). The case for open source appropriate technology. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 14(3), 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9337-9
  10. Unwin, T. (2019). Reclaiming information and communication technologies for development. Oxford University Press.
  11. United Nations. (2021). The Sustainable Development Goals report 2021. UN Publications. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021/
  12. Van Dijk, J. (2020). The digital divide. Polity Press.
  13. Whitacre, B., Gallardo, R., & Strover, S. (2014). Broadband's contribution to economic growth in rural areas: Moving towards a causal relationship. Telecommunications Policy, 38(11), 1011-1023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2014.05.005
  14. World Bank. (2020). Digital dividends: World development report 2016. World Bank Publications. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0671-1

 

The rapid expansion of fiber optic connectivity presents a transformative opportunity to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while posing significant ethical and implementation challenges for engineers. This paper examines how sustainable fiber optic infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for achieving SDG targets in education (SDG 4), healthcare (SDG 3), industry innovation (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13). Through a multidisciplinary analysis, we explore the critical role of engineering ethics in guiding responsible deployment, emphasizing principles of equitable access, environmental sustainability, and data security. The study identifies key implementation barriers including high infrastructure costs, geographical constraints, regulatory fragmentation, and skills shortages, while proposing solutions through innovative engineering approaches and cross-sector collaboration. Findings suggest that professional engineers must balance technical excellence with ethical considerations to ensure digital inclusion and minimize ecological impacts. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating sustainability frameworks into fiber optic network design, advocating for policy reforms, and strengthening ethical guidelines in engineering practice. By aligning technological innovation with SDG imperatives, the engineering community can position fiber optic connectivity as both an infrastructure priority and a vehicle for equitable global development.

Keywords : Fiber Optic, Sustainable Development Goals, Ethics, Sustainable Connectivity, Digital Infrastructure, Digital Inclusion, Sustainable Infrastructure.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe