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One question. Who would then have access to this conduit? Any company? All Companies? Someone has to own, operate, install, maintain and fix that fiber. So

One question. Who would then have access to this conduit? Any company? All Companies? Someone has to own, operate, install, maintain and fix that fiber. So, does the company that just laid their own fiber last year get penalized as someone can come in for a much reduced cost and run fiber to compete? This would have been a good idea 15 years ago. Now it's kind of moot. We already have fiber that's anywhere near a federal highway. Most likely we will have to go _under_ that highway and cross it in metro areas. Federal grants have paid to put a lot of fiber into the ground in rural areas: http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/ http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/ Disclaimer: I work for a Telco that owns a lot of fiber.

sgrossman 15y ago
Whoever can pay to lease a conduit would have access to it, I'd imagine. The company that leases the conduit would be responsible for buying the glass, pulling it, and splicing it. I imagine a contractor would be selected to repair and maintain the conduit in the event of back hoe. Power companies and some telecoms do this now for "pole rights" on aerial fiber/copper builds.
joelhaus 15y ago
Inspired by the Engadget/PBS piece[1], it seems that an open auction with a few conditions might produce the best results: 1) Winner may sell wholesale only (i.e. independent ISPs must lease the right to offer the fiber for retail sale). 2) Lowest per bit price for leasing wins the auction (or maybe there is a better metric?). 3) Add some type of incentive for local governments to help build-out the last mile (or maybe such a deal would trigger the initial auction?). This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I think it would get us closer to better/cheaper broadband. [1] http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/why-is-european-broadband-faster-and-cheaper-blame-the-governme/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/why-is-european-broadband...

sgrossman 15y ago

Whoever can pay to lease a conduit would have access to it, I'd imagine. The company that leases the conduit would be responsible for buying the glass, pulling it, and splicing it. I imagine a contractor would be selected to repair and maintain the conduit in the event of back hoe. Power companies and some telecoms do this now for "pole rights" on aerial fiber/copper builds.

joelhaus 15y ago

Inspired by the Engadget/PBS piece[1], it seems that an open auction with a few conditions might produce the best results: 1) Winner may sell wholesale only (i.e. independent ISPs must lease the right to offer the fiber for retail sale). 2) Lowest per bit price for leasing wins the auction (or maybe there is a better metric?). 3) Add some type of incentive for local governments to help build-out the last mile (or maybe such a deal would trigger the initial auction?). This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I think it would get us closer to better/cheaper broadband. [1] http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/why-is-european-broadband-faster-and-cheaper-blame-the-governme/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/why-is-european-broadband...