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An open-access network (OAN) refers to a horizontally layered network architecture in telecommunications, and the business model that separates the physical access to the network from the delivery of services. In an OAN, the owner or manager of the network does not supply services for the network; these services must be supplied by separate retail service providers. There are two different open-access network models: the two- and three-layer models.

History
In the twentieth century, analog telephone and cable television networks were designed around the limitations of the prevailing technology. The copper-wired twisted pair telephone networks were not able to carry television programming, and copper-wired coaxial cable television networks were not able to carry voice telephony. Towards the end of the twentieth century, with the rise of packet switching—as used on the Internet—and IP-based fiber and wireless technologies, it became possible to design, build, and operate a single high performance network capable of delivering hundreds of services from multiple, competing providers.

Roles
Communications Operator (CO) manages the distribution of the services in the network, the network owner owns the passive infrastructure and receives compensation from CO per active household. All Retail service provider (RSP) has an agreement with CO, invoices and owns all contact with the end customer. In some countries it is common for the network owner and CO is the same and even offer their own services, but is considered as not being neutral. In Scandinavia OAN is handled by a kommunikationspoperatör (KO) while it is called Operating Company (OPCO) in Asia and the U.S.

Two models
An OAN uses a different business model than traditional telecommunications networks. Regardless of whether the two- or three-layer model is used, an open-access network fundamentally means that there is an "organisational separation" of each of the layers. In other words, the network owner/operator cannot also be a retailer on that network.

Two-layer model
In the two-layer OAN model, there is a network owner and operator, and multiple retail service providers that deliver services over the network.

Three-layer model
In the three-layer OAN model the physical layer—the fiber or wireless infrastructure—is owned by one company, the operations and maintenance of the network and the provision of services is run by a second company, and the retail service providers provide the third layer.

Applications
The OAN concept is appropriate for both fiber and WiFi access networks, especially where exclusivity cannot be allowed. The shared maintenance costs make it appropriate for rural areas, where traditional Internet service providers (ISP) may be reluctant to provide a service. Open access networks are also viewed as a feasible way of deploying next-generation broadband networks in low population density areas where service providers cannot obtain a sufficient return on investment to cover the high costs associated with trenching, right-of-way encroachment permits, and the requisite network infrastructure.

In contrast to traditional municipal networks where the municipality owns the network and there is only one service provider, the open access model allows multiple service providers to compete over the same network at wholesale prices. This allows service providers to make money in the short-term, and the municipality or cooperative to recoup its costs over the long-term. The build-out and infrastructure is typically financed through low-cost bonds.

Open access networks have proven successful in parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia. One of the best known and most mature OANs is in Västerås, Sweden, a city of about 40,000 homes. The Västerås OAN has dozens of providers, and more than a hundred services available to users. During the past years a large number of OANs have spread all over Sweden, especially in smaller municipalities (see e.g. Säffle and Hudiksvall). The most successful private OAN is Zitius (founded in 2003) who connects more than 400 000 households and companies, 25 metropolitan networks, offers all connected >300 different broadband services IP TV, IP Telephony, internet access up to 1000/100Mbps and triple play. In the US, open access networks like municipality owned The Wired Road in Virginia have been able to attract both local and regional service providers quickly. This has resulted in the cost of Internet access and telephone service for business users in The Wired Road service area to decline by fifty to seventy percent due to the increased competition between providers. This OAN provides open access transport to any service provider that meets minimum technical and financial qualifications, including allowing existing providers to supply enhanced services, however it does sell services itself and therefore does not compete with private sector providers.

Australia and Singapore also have open-access networks based on fiber to the home. In Australia, the leading open-access provider currently is Opticomm, who have been delivering services to over sixty communities since the mid-2000s. Australia also has the recently formed government owned corporation NBN Co Limited, who are creating the National Broadband Network to provide open-access fiber to the node at one gigabit per second for more than ninety-three percent of homes and businesses in the country, and fixed wireless and satellite technologies with a minimum speed of twelve megabits per second to the remainder of the population.