The Open Access Network Model is a venerable idea that is gaining new traction in the European Marketplace. The theory behind Open Access is that a communications network should be logically split into two parts; One part is the “plumbing” or physical access and the other part is where the services are provisioned. This split then yields a new business model where multiple service providers can utilize the physical access from the facilities owner and compete for the same customer base.
This concept gets re-hashed every time there is a new access media developed. In the early 2000’s it was WiFi and now it’s FTTX, or Fiber to the “X”, with “X” meaning home/curb/business. FTTX is a physical access sea-change that started about 2-3 years ago and will continue for at least the next decade.
Alternative facilities providers in less densely populated areas of Central Europe have been pushing for Open Access Model recently. Germany and Switzerland have a large number of local energy providers and Municipality networks that have laid fiber optic cable next to their gas, water and electricity lines which gives them physical access (facilities) to the consumer or business in their local region. Most of these Utilities are extremely small and don’t have the resources to provide services over their fiber.
I have explored these issues a bit in depth in these posts; Here and Here
This type of resource imbalance is exactly why the Open Access Network Model was conceived. These alternative facilities providers are now trying to wholesale their physical access to any and all Service Providers who want access to their customers. With this constellation we have a win-win-win situation; The facilities provider doesn’t have a capital investment in services to make, the service provider doesn’t have to trench fiber and the consumer, with a choice of service providers, gets better service.
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