FROM THE INDUSTRY
Deeper visibility across wholesale networks is also essential to eliminate the finger pointing that arises when faults occur. This includes everything from Layer 2 to Layer 3, including performance metrics, latency, jitter, and both speed and quality test data. This level of end-to-end insight is required to make it clear whether an issue sits with the wholesale operator, the Retail Service Provider (RSP), or if it originates within the customer’s home. Furthermore, BSPs operating on shared wholesale infrastructure are increasingly looking at ways to differentiate themselves beyond the usual offerings of speed and connectivity. Traditional models have resulted in many BSPs effectively selling slight variations on the same wholesale products, making it difficult for them to stand apart in a crowded market. In today’s environment, service providers must find new dimensions of value if they are to create meaningful distinctions on top of a common underlying network.
At the same time, BSPs are also facing growing pressure to cut their carbon footprint and lower their customers’ electricity bills through more energy- efficient infrastructure. For example, regulatory developments like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSDR) have introduced mandatory climate-impact reporting for large telecom operators on the continent. At the same time, new methodologies that measure and reduce the environmental impact of broadband infrastructure and pushing service providers towards lower-energy network equipment, and transparent disclosures energy use and emissions. Security has also become a critical consideration, particularly in open access environments where every additional peering point represents a potential exposure. As wholesale operators interconnect with multiple BSPs - who serve diverse end user networks - the attack surface expands. Alongside this, the opportunities for misconfiguration, lateral movement or service disruption also increase. Ensuring strong authentication, segmentation and monitoring across the entire wholesale-to-retail chain is vital to protecting both operators and customers.
In today’s broadband landscape, Open Access and wholesale models are no longer confined to their traditional European roots. What began as a way for incumbents to offer copper-based services to third-party broadband service providers (BSPs) has exploded as a result of the global rise of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), with mature and commercially successful wholesale fibre models operating across Australasia and parts of Africa. In fact, similar approaches have also started to accelerate across Asia, and in both Latin and North America. However, many of the legacy frameworks still in use today were built for the era of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), a family of broadband technologies that deliver internet access over copper telephone infrastructure. This means that as networks shift to FTTH, and converge with wireless broadband alternatives, the industry must now adopt a broader, more complex set of requirements. As a result, modernising wholesale models – and updating the standards that underpin them – is of paramount importance. What is open access? At a basic level, open access models reflect the sharing of fibre infrastructure across multiple service providers to create a competitive marketplace for end users. Rather than just a sole operator owning both the infrastructure and the services implemented on top of it, an open access model ensures these two layers remain separate. For infrastructure owners, these models empower them to concentrate on building and operating robust, high- performance networks, while broadband service providers can quickly differentiate themselves from the rest of the market through unique, innovative offerings. This combination also ensures end-users benefit from greater choice, and high- quality, yet cost-effective services. The challenges of adoption Problems remain, however. Despite the rapid growth of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and cloud-based network connections, many large BSPs continue to underutilise their existing network capacity. This challenge is intensified by the high cost and long timelines associated with building new infrastructure, making it even harder for smaller providers to gain a foothold in the market.
Volume 48 No.2 MAY 2026
87
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker