Estate Living September 2016 Digital Issue | Page 62

OK, that’s a long definition, right? Well, it has to be, because operators are trying to
hijack the term “open access” for marketing purposes, in the same way that lots of
customers with a so-called fibre service in Europe are actually connected to a copper
or coax connection in the last mile. Shouldn’t be allowed, but it is.
WHAT OPEN ACCESS ISN’T
If an operator is offering open access but you can only get their services on their
network, then it isn’t open access! One incumbent claims that this is actually open
because you can switch to another provider, but the cost is so high that you’re
essentially trapped with the incumbent. That isn’t truly open.
If an operator is sharing their network using a thing called “bitstream”, then again
that is not open access. You can’t see a supermarket of services to pick from. Yes,
you can change to another provider, but the pricing can be prohibitive for them, and
even if you do change, then you’re stuck with the new provider.

ABOUT US
Ventura Next designs, builds and manages incredibly efficient and profitable
operations for fibre owners who lack the time or expertise to exploit their own
passive network asset. This helps them increase take-up, generate higher revenues
and deliver world-class services to users. We have a track record of 120 open access
networks across 45 cities.

OPEN access

Richard Jones – Chief Commercial Officer