Global Infrastructure - Open Network Insights

Synopsis

Open networks are slowly becoming accepted as the next step in the evolution of telecoms infrastructure as it gives users full control of the services and applications that can be made available over high-speed broadband infrastructure. Open networks also mean a democratisation of the telecoms infrastructure. The topology and the architecture of the open network should be such that infrastructure, service and content providers can all offer higher quality and different ‘premium’ products and services.

This report analyses the importance of Open Networks for a successful telecoms industry and provides an example of Open Access Principles. The report also discusses how it is time the USO and USF polices were reviewed.

Latest developments:

The main reason for the present debate around the concept of open telecommunications networks is that the current ‘closed’ networks are perceived to be the natural state of affairs, even though they were in large part only put in place during the past ten years. It is time we broke away from this mindset, which stems mainly from the technological limitations that existed in the past.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Economic stimulus packages and open networks
  • 2.1 Unlocking economic growth potential
  • 2.2 Why open networks?
  • 2.3 Interconnected networks
  • 2.4 Less regulation required
  • 2.5 Open networks require significantly less public funding
  • 2.6 Will open networks lead to a telecom Nirvana?
  • 2.7 How is it done in other infrastructure industries?
  • 2.8 Open systems lead to ‘economies of scope’
• 3. Open Access Principles
• 4. Open Access around the world
  • 4.1 United Kingdom
  • 4.2 USA
  • 4.3 Finland
  • 4.4 France
    • 4.4.1 Orange’s turnaround aims to deliver fibre to the majority of France
  • 4.5 Australia
    • 4.5.1 NBN – Opening up large new investment opportunities
  • 4.6 Austria
    • 4.6.1 Austria prepares regulatory unbundling measures for fibre network access
• 5. Backgrounder: Unbundling of the local loop
  • 5.1 Definition
  • 5.2 The economic and social advantages of ULL
  • 5.3 Long-term effect: improving competition
  • 5.4 No broadband competition without ULL
  • 5.5 Economic and social benefits
  • 5.6 Needed: regulators with vision
• 6. Rethink of Universal Service Obligations/Funds
  • 6.1 USO/USF well served the good old POTS
  • 6.2 Telephony no longer the issue
  • 6.3 Separation, open networks – radical changes are needed
  • 6.4 Australian Broadband Guarantee
  • 6.5 Support cooperative models
• 7. Conclusion: open networks engine for innovation and growth
  • 7.1 New economy needs open innovation
  • 7.2 Large economic benefits
• 8. Related reports

• Exhibit 1 – Open Access Principles