Municipal Fiber Networks
Local Leadership in Connectivity
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- The organization has many of the disparate parts of constructing a fiber network, but no understanding as to where and how to start making one a reality.
- There is community/political pressure to address the digital divide through community-controlled solutions.
- Municipal fiber networks could mean anything from an internal fiber network to a comprehensive broadband solution.Where and how might such a network fit into your overall strategy?
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- In order to design and build a “fit for purpose” solution, the purpose must first be defined.
- An operating model bridges vision/strategy and execution.A minimum viable product high-level operating model for a municipal fiber network must at least define the deployment model to be used and structure of governance.
- Municipal fiber networks will not be built completely from scratch or without use of existing assets.Each municipality will bring a different mix of assets to the table in these projects. Understand yours.
Impact and Result
- Create a common understanding of what is to be built, for whom, and why.
- Define what services will be offered and how they will be governed.
- Understand which assets you already have that can jump-start the project.
Municipal Fiber Networks Research & Tools
1. Municipal Fiber Networks – A guide to understanding the reasons, models, and implications of municipally owned networks.
Before pursuing the build of a municipal fiber or broadband network, you need to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what is to be built and how it will be run. With this foundational work, clear plans and success criteria can be defined.
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Municipal Fiber Networks
Local Leadership in Connectivity
Executive Summary
Your Challenge
| Common Obstacles
| Info-Tech’s Approach
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Info-Tech Insight
Municipal fiber networks can be deployed in many ways to achieve many different goals. Ensure that you understand the drivers and target market for your deployment in order to build an appropriate end state.
What is a Municipal Fiber Network?
A municipal fiber network is a fiber network that is built out, owned, and/or operated by a municipality within its local region.What purpose does it serve?Municipal fiber networks can serve many different purposes depending on the needs of the community. Some common uses are as follows:
| “When communities have a strong sense of what role fiber can play in the region’s development, they are better equipped to make sound decisions around network marketing, execution, and management.” (Source: OPInsight) |
Why build one?
Challenges
| Benefits
| Why Do It?There are many reasons that justify the value of building out a municipal fiber network. Potential areas of value are:
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“I think imaginative exercises can have a profound impact on the future – what you can imagine can sometimes turn into something you can figure out how to build.” (Vint Cerf) | Potential Project TriggersCommon reasons that may align with initiating a municipal fiber network project:Grants Large capital project initiating Public demand Long-term cost savings |
Network Terminology | Internet Exchange (IXP) Regional Point of Presence (PoP) Backbone Middle Mile Last Mile |
How do you approach creating a municipal fiber network?
Over 600 communities in the US are served by some form of municipal broadband
Community Network Map | community broadband networks (muninetworks.org)
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CREATE A VISIONIn order to design and build a “fit for purpose” solution, the purpose must first be defined.
| DEFINE A HIGH-LEVEL OPERATING MODELAn operating model bridges vision/strategy and execution. A minimum viable product high-level operating model for a municipal fiber network must at least define the deployment model to be used and structure of governance.
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UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT STATE
| MAP A PATH FORWARDA municipal fiber network can be a daunting project. Without clear and achievable targets, momentum will be lost, and the project can fail.
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Trying to be “everything to everyone” will lead to cost over runs and project failure. Keep your targets and timelines realistic and achievable. | Long-term sustainability and financial feasibility are often overlooked in the planning of municipal broadband networks. Grant funding can help build the network but is generally a front-end, one-time infusion of money. |
VISION
You need to identify your endpoint before starting your journey.Almost one third (28%) of respondents to the Project Managements Institute’s “Pulse of the Profession” survey highlight “Inadequate vision/goal for the project” as the primary reason for project failures. (Source: PMI) | DRIVERS What problem(s) are we looking to address? Is there local context to the problem(s) that must be understood? | TARGET MARKET Who are we looking to solve the problem(s) for? Where are they and how do we reach them? | APPROACHES What areas of a network can a municipality participate in to address the challenges of the target market? |
Define the Project Drivers
Drivers will outline the Why
When defining drivers, start with documenting areas like:
This can be approached with a team through brainstorming, or external to a team through surveys/interviews, etc. This data can be further refined by utilizing methods such as Affinity Diagraming or explored by using methods such as the 5 Whys.Info-Tech InsightThe drivers or the “Why” of a project is a key component in assuring alignment with municipal vision and direction as well as securing funding and/or grants. | Affinity Diagramming An affinity diagram (also called the KJ Method) is an activity used to organize large amounts of data into meaningful categories based on themes or natural relationships while reducing social biases. 5 WhysThe 5 Whys explores cause and effect relationships by asking the question “Why” five times in order to discover the “root cause” of a problem. |
Potential Drivers
Drivers for an Internal Network
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Unlock Sample ResearchAuthor
Scott Young
Contributors
- Dolan Beckel, Chief of Staff for the City Manager, City of San Jose
- Jerry Driessen, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
- Brent Messer, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
- Scott Magerfleisch, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
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Search Code: 100526
Last Revised: February 13, 2023
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