What is a next generation ‘open public local access network’ (OPLAN)?

An OPLAN is truly ‘broadband’ in capacity - way beyond anything provided by existing local telecoms networks. An OPLAN provides abundant low cost connectivity on an ‘end-to-end’ and symmetrical basis, charging for access not bandwidth and is ‘open’ for access and use by any party located within the community it serves.

OPLANs may come in a variety of forms. However, there are some distinctive defining characteristics of OPLANs that link them all together, and differentiate them from today's telecommunications networks. OPLANs, to a greater or lesser degree, have the following characteristics:

they only serve a local geographic community or location, ranging from a street or business park through a rural community to an entire city

they provide "open access" and are for use by any party located within the community - they serve both the public and private sectors, corporate and residential citizens, service and content creators as well as consumers

they are owned and controlled totally independently of any service or content that runs over them

they are structured, financed and owned so as to serve the common good; the value and benefit of the technology remains with the users

they are not owned by a PTO/ licensed telecommunications operator

they deploy modern digital technology and offer true broadband (symmetrical) connectivity

What do OPLAN stakeholders get?

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Download the OPLAN briefing note (Adobe Acrobat)

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