Title: Public–private partnership in FTTX passive infrastructure deployment: the 22@BCN case

Authors: Jorge Infante, Ramon Sagarra, Carlos Macian, Miquel Oliver

Addresses: Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, C/Tanger, 122 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Barcelona Council, Spain 22@Barcelona Municipal Society, C/Avila, 138 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, C/Tanger, 122 08018 Barcelona, Spain. ' Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, C/Tanger, 122 08018 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: The paper analyses municipal active involvement in deploying passive telecommunication infrastructure oriented to support New Generation Access (NGAs) networks. This analysis is illustrated using a case study based on the 22@Barcelona council initiative, consisting on the deployment of a whole passive network infrastructure under a shared investment agreement with the incumbent operator. Part of this municipal passive infrastructure is used to rent dark fibre and spaces in order to lower entry cost for alternative operators and encourage competition on the FTTX market. The analysis is centred on benefits, risks, costs and opportunities for municipal passive infrastructure deployment.

Keywords: NGA networks; new generation access; passive infrastructure; municipal involvement; FTTH; fibre-to-the-home; FTTX; business models; competition; fibre deployment; public–private partnerships; PPP; Spain; fibre networks; shared investment; broadband services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMNE.2009.030595

International Journal of Management and Network Economics, 2009 Vol.1 No.3, pp.327 - 342

Published online: 24 Dec 2009 *

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