Inphotonics Research evolved as a result of over two decades of planning and building access networks for service providers and carriers worldwide. Our efforts have exposed us to a variety of different economic, geographic, and regulatory conditions that have led to the use of several different business models and technologies to make the deployment of broadband networks economically viable. Our team have designed and built networks based on digital loop carrier and passive optical network systems in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. One of our founders introduced DSL technology in South Korea that spawned their broadband revolution. Through these efforts we recognize the unique challenges of building last-mile access networks in North America.
The culmination of our global experience is the understanding of business models to economically deploy broadband access networks in the United States and Canada. In North America our lower population densities increase the cost of building access networks. The use of technology has brought the cost down to the point where it is economically feasible to deploy fiber in urban and densely populated suburban areas, but kept it out of the reach of most suburban and rural areas. Public companies have a hard time justifying the deployment of fiber in these situations so carriers continue to milk existing copper cable for all they can. The bottom line is that many service providers cannot afford to build a fiber-based broadband network in most of their territory. There are alternatives.
The Municipal Alternative
Municipalities and local governments recognize that their economies are shifting from retail and manufacturing based to knowledge based. Broadband networks are the natural resources that will fuel this new economy. Governments that recognize and do something to ensure their vitality will survive and grow. Local governments are also coming to the realization that their incumbent carriers are limited in their ability to build out a single-tenant fiber network so they are pursing alternatives. One alternative that governments from local to national are pursing is the building of a fiber-based network infrastructure and leasing capacity to service providers on a non-discriminatory basis. This open-access network becomes economically viable because is can be shared by several service providers including incumbents.
The benefits of an open-access municipal broadband infrastructure are numerous. The financing of the network leverages the long-term financing ability of the city while the break-even point is almost halved through the greater use of the asset. Citizens and businesses enjoy true competition of service providers while receiving a choice of innovative services that meet their needs. The building and operation of the network employs local citizens, and other citizens have greater choice to live and work in the same community. Eventually the municipality should even enjoy a net positive flow into their general fund from revenue on this 20 year plus asset. This is one of the few investments a city can make that should not cost the taxpayers money with little or no benefit.
Let our talent and experience work for your city.
Very few municipalities have the expertise to plan, build, operate, and sell capacity on an open access broadband infrastructure. That is where Inphotonics Research can help. Our founders have almost a century of experience in planning, building, operating, and selling capacity on broadband networks with some of the top service and equipment providers. We will put our experience to work for you to ensure the success of your project. We go beyond the simple planning and building of the network into the operation and maintenance of the network. We will even work with you to sell capacity on the network to residential and business service providers. We are true partners with our customers. Without your success, we are not successful.
Our team starts by assessing the viability of such a network in the community and works with planners and community leaders to ensure there is support for the endeavor. We plan an intelligent build-out with appropriate fiber-based and wireless technologies to minimize the need for large financial resources. As service providers begin delivering services to homes and businesses, we will utilize operating cash-flow to finance continued construction. Our technicians will monitor the network to detect failures and dispatch local personnel for repairs and installation. The city will need to hire little or no additional personnel to support this network.
If your community recognize the value that a broadband network can bring to its vitality, then ComTech Sales/Inphotonics Research can ensure its success. ComTech Sales works with existing networks to enhance their value as well.