The G.fast technology, which boosts data speeds over existing copper lines, was hailed as a cost-effective alternative to fiber for broadband access and also for backhaul and fronthaul. But the system may have missed its window of opportunity, especially in Europe, because of the rapid rise of more affordable fiber options including better access to dark fiber. The main problem, according to one of the largest G.fast chip suppliers, Sckipio, is that regulators are hostile. The Israeli firm admitted last week that it was “worried” about the European market. It launched upgrades to its G.fast products, but these developments will take a year to be in commercial roll-outs, and in the meantime, the technology may be further pressurized by European…