First Mile Access Networks and Enabling Technologies

The Emergence of Alternative Models—Intelligent Cities

Recently, several cities and towns in North America have started to experiment with fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), and wireless-fidelity (WiFi) deployments, organized around an optical backbone, to build their own networks supporting high-speed Internet access and new services for their businesses and homes. The goal of such networks is to improve overall quality of life—including bringing new businesses into the city and creating more jobs. Many business and technological issues must be resolved before undertaking the building of such intelligent city networks.

Corporate financing of a fiber-optic network carries significant risks, especially from a return on investment ...