Municipalities & Utilities
Why do Municipalities Want FTTx?
Access to the information superhighway can mean the difference between a future of robust economic activity and one of community decline. Municipal governments around the globe have found themselves in the position, either by choice or necessity, of having to provide this connectivity.
City like services, such as ultrafast internet access, HDTV programming, video conferencing and data communication is crucial for small and rural communities to attract and retain anchor employers with a strong employee base, provide the tools for teleworking that will keep educated young people in the community, and serve the leisure and entertainment demands of a growing senior population.
Municipalities are taking it upon themselves to build FTTx networks to ensure that residents have access to these services. Often, there is not an incumbent service provider in the community to provide these services, or an existing incumbent is unwilling or unable to make such an investment.
Why do Utilities Want FTTx?
Utilities are looking for new revenue streams given that utility rates are regulated, but the costs of delivering utility services are increasing. In addition, the deployment of Smart Grid networks, which proactively monitor and manage consumption from the power grid to reduce demand – has raised questions about what kind of communications infrastructure will provide the best return.
While the near unlimited bandwidth capabilities of an all-optical network far exceeds the needs of a Smart Grid, fiber does provide the greatest reliability and lowest latency compared to other architectures, such as wireless, without having to worry about the impact of weather. With a Smart Grid built on FTTx, the utility has the high-bandwidth pipe in place to roll out additional value-added services, such as HDTV, high definition interactive video services and ultra-fast Internet access.
Like a local government, a public utility may be in the position to play the role of economic catalyst, by rolling out the advanced next-generation broadband services that will attract and retain skilled workers and anchor employers to their community.
Why do Municipalities and Utilities Turn to Enablence?
Municipalities and utilities have key advantages for deploying all-optical networks that can reduce the time and cost of a deployment, such as access to grant monies and stimulus funds, existing billing systems, existing rights-of-way, and physical conduits to subscribers’ premises.
However, neither entity is accustomed to providing triple-play services – HDTV, high-speed Internet and voice. Enablence provides the services, products, expertise and hands-on support they need, in collaboration with other external consultants, to successfully implement and monetize their new network.
Learn more about how Enablence’s solutions can help you become an economic catalyst for your community.
