MuniWireless

If only US cities and regions had deployed fiber optic networks that were open to all providers, Sprint’s WiMAX deployment wouldn’t be in the pickle it’s in today. Fierce Broadband Wireless says: “Sprint, which was supposed to launch its Xohm network in April, is having difficulty finding high-capacity transport links to connect cell sites as typical T-1 lines that feed today’s mobile networks are inefficient for high-speed wireless broadband data. The problem is that the majority of Sprint’s sites today are T-1 lines, and there just isn’t a lot of fiber and microwave options available across the country. The link between the local area network and local fiber ring is still challenged by older technology and poor coverage, offering limited access to high-capacity connections.”

Yesterday I posted an article about ViaEuropa, a Swedish company that manages the fiber networks of Swedish cities and regions. These fiber networks are open to providers on a non-discriminatory basis. So a company like Sprint could have easily bought wholesale access from one or more open fiber networks for backhaul, had they been more widespread in the US. Net neutrality is good for business after all.

Related posts:

1. Swedish firm makes a business out of net neutrality
2. Augmenting WiMAX Backhaul with Optical Fiber Infrastructure
3. How rural Sweden gets fiber to the home