- The network operator is the operator that builds the physical infrastructure; that is, it owns the fiber.
- The communications operator provides connectivity (operates the broadband network) and provides wholesale services to service providers
. - Service providers are the ones that control the end customers and provide them with broadband services.
An operator can have one or more of these roles. For example, the incumbent operator has all three roles and, at the same time, offers wholesale services to other operators.
Open networks allow for faster deployment of fiber optic networks, reduced return on investment time, and increased competition, as multiple operators can temporarily share the infrastructure. In a typical network deployment scenario, the majority of the operator's capital expenditure (CAPEX) is for civil works, although the final investment depends on several factors (the possibility of deploying aerial fiber instead of underground, population density, etc.).
P2P Ethernet has been a very successful technology for creating open networks in Northern Europe, as it allows for very simple unbundling at the central office. However, it requires a greater investment in fiber optics, active equipment, power, etc. GPON is much more energy-efficient and requires less space and less fiber, adapting perfectly to the future requirements of operators, thanks to XG-PON and WDM-PON. Furthermore, GPON allows for the creation of open networks by reusing active equipment, although this requires operators to reach agreements on Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This is the best option in urban areas until a significant user base is established, as well as in rural areas as a long-term alternative. Finally, GPON also allows for unbundling by reusing central offices, conduits, and internal building fibers.
Author:
Ramón Millán / Telecommunications Engineer
