Why Open Access Networks?

DFA use the term to denote a digital network where many or most of the following defining characteristics are present:

• An Open Access Network serves an existing local geographic community or location, ranging from a street or business park through a rural community up to an entire city
• An Open Access Network is open for access and use by any party located within the community it serves – both public and private sectors, corporate and residential
• An Open Access Network is not owned by a licensed telecommunications operator
• An Open Access Network has true broadband capacity sufficient to meet tomorrow's requirements
• Ownership of an Open Access Network is likely to be by a combination of passive/portfolio investors (pension & insurance funds; local authorities; private equity groups etc) or even its users
• There is an understanding that an Open Access Network must serve the 'common good' as well as the interests of its owners
• The ongoing annual tariff for being connected to an Open Access Network is 'cost' rather than 'bandwidth' related and may therefore differ Open Access Network to Open Access Network