TECHNICAL
Post 2010, the “Bitco 8 ” model
The move from a circuit switched approach (primarily) for voice to delivering bits via packet switching has radically changed network architectures (see Isenberg & Nolan 9 ) - see Figure 2.2 below. “Bitco” is a term used by the author to illustrate the delivery of a digital service and note access network connectivity (and the backhaul) is delivered (primarily) via fibre. 10 It is the author’s opinion that the Internet has now fully “substituted” the global PSTN 11 . The growth of Alternative Network Providers (altnets) On an historical note, ISPs have held an interesting position within the UK and others have covered their evolution extensively - see 3.1 opposite. In summary, the altnets can be considered as the “challengers” to the incumbent BT and more lately to Virgin Media/ O2 (VMO2). Historically, the early altnet model was based on unbundled local copper (via Openreach) using ADSL to transmit signals – later altnet models are predicated on fibre within the local distribution network. A few of the players in the FTTH access market are identified in Figure 3.1 opposite and, with the exception of Openreach (OR) , KCOM and Virgin Media/O2, all the players consider themselves to be altnets. The self builds from the likes of B4RN, etc., are excluded, as are the bigger fibre business market players e.g. Zayo, Verizon, etc., who do not participate in this market. It should be noted this analysis is a snapshot of a moment in time and does not include all the players. Figure 3.1 has been compiled (mostly) with data from a number of industry sources i.e. n excellent ISP Review site (see - https://www.ispreview.co.uk/), n Point Topic (see https://www.point- topic.com/ukplus), n and thinkbroadband (see- https:// www.thinkbroadband.com/assets/ factsheet/broadband-report-july-2024. pdf. For an up to date look all the three sites above are excellent reference sources, as is the INCA 12 organisation at https://www. inca.coop/.
Figure 2.2: The Bitco (ISP) model
Figure 3.1: Sample of UK Altnets (2019)
Figure 3.2: Aug 21 – A Sample of altnet’s in the UK
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Volume 46 No.4 DECEMBER 2024
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