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Home Solutions Community Broadband Networks Community Broadband Network Providers |
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Community Broadband Network Providers It is a sign of the immaturity of the Community Broadband marketplace that many different types of providers are supplying the services. In some areas, the Local Exchange Carrier, or even an Internet Backbone Carrier (like AT&T) has begun to provide direct business and residential service. These cases are still rare, however, and many other types of providers, including Cable and Satellite TV companies, and even the local Utility Company, have started to fill the void. Even so, it is often up to the community itself to band together and create a solution where none has been installed. These grass roots efforts are more and more becoming the norm for community broadband, and communities ranging from less than 10,000 residents all the way to major metropolitan areas are beginning to build their own broadband networks. Local Carriers Slowly but surely, the ILECs (Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers) are expanding the broadband access networks in major metropolitan areas. For many metropolitan areas, the ILEC is in the best position to deploy community broadband networks, considering the financial stability, and significant investment required. Local carriers are steadily increasing the amount of broadband capacity available to their communities, using primarily ADSL technology backed by traditional Circuit-Switching networks, comprised of ATM and SONET equipment. The case to continue expanding these networks is compelling to the ILEC – no new skills or types of equipment is necessary. Unfortunately for the consumer and the community, these solutions are slow to deploy and the cost does not scale as well as newer IP-based technology. Recent marketing studies have shown that at high speeds, Ethernet and IP-based technology can cost as little as one tenth as much as equivalent circuit-based technology. Some forward-thinking ILECs are starting to deploy IP and Ethernet technology, and it is now possible, for instance, to lease a Gigabit Ethernet line across many large cities in the US. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 created the CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) industry to compete with the ILECs. While many CLECs have suffered as a result of the recent dramatic downturn in the Carrier marketplace, some are still strong, and are effectively deploying high-speed broadband access to many communities around the country. Unburdened by the requirement of maintaining large legacy networks, CLECs are freer to implement newer, “Greenfield” solutions with Ethernet and IP, providing voice, video and data services to their customers. Both ILECs and CLECs are also starting to deploy deep-fiber access networks in certain areas. This process bodes well for the creation of very high-speed community networks, but much work needs to be done yet to connect significant numbers of homes and businesses with fiber. In the United States, only a small percentage of existing commercial facilities are currently reached by fiber-optic cabling. Cable Multi-Service Operators (MSOs) Cable-TV companies have long maintained a reputation for innovation and flexibility. Recently, many cable companies have begun initiatives to provide data services over Cable-TV, and even to create Fiber-to-the-Home networks. Most Cable access networks are using Ethernet technology as a backbone since, like the CLECs they began building their networks recently with the most cost-effective technology. This choice has provided them with a cost-effective means of scaling their networks. Unfortunately, as with the rest of the communications industry, MSOs are also suffering from the current downturn. Nevertheless, Cable MSOs are rapidly expanding the availability of broadband access. Municipal Utility Companies To some extent filling the void left by defunct CLECs, municipal power, water and gas boards are stepping into offering carrier’s carriers and broadband services in metro and access area in addition to their traditional services. Digging and fiber installation may cause high cost investments and numerous problems. In addition, they must optimize fiber use, to avoid unprofitable investments and maximize the use of scarce resources. To deliver the required variety of high-speed services to consumers, Carriers, ISPs and others, the municipality has to build a flexible network and make the most advantageous use of its fiber, possibly running several types of networks in parallel on the same physical infrastructure. Grass Roots Efforts Some communities, frustrated with the existing solutions from ILECs and MSOs, have found their own ways to create community broadband networks. These communities gather together at the grass roots and decide to invest their own local dollars into creating a network for their community on their own terms. Many municipalities have done this now with much success. These communities employ a variety of techniques to get the job done, including raising bonds, and contracting both with local providers and with equipment vendors directly, but all are motivated by the same goal: to create a connected community where residents, businesses and local government can all enjoy the benefits of a high speed local network. To find out more about MRV solutions for Community Broadband Networks, contact your local MRV sales representative at sales@mrv.com. |
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