Broadband services virtual operator for bitstream open-access networks: business case and infrastructure

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to study the technical and business model for the creation of a virtual operator for bitstream access networks in Catalonia, in the modality of carrier’s carrier. The substrate for this project is Xarxa Oberta network. Xarxa Oberta is a project which is under way at present and that will ultimately provide a backbone network connecting all municipalities in Catalonia. Open access networks are being deployed across Spain to provide access to broadband services where this was previously either not possible or not competitive. Additionally, multiple access networks are already deployed which currently subcontract interconnection and advanced services from third parties. Xarxa Oberta offers the opportunity to create a bitstream virtual operator that offers its services to local service providers in several access networks across Catalonia. The technical model uses both Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Hybrid Fibre-Coax (HFC) technologies to develop a reference model for access network deployments, including both existing and open access network operators as potential customers. A complete open source stack is proposed to deploy Network Management System (NMS) and Operation and Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS). The infrastructure is defined, including equipment selection and deployment. A business plan is detailed to analyse the viability of the project. The key activities, resources, channels, costs, revenues, etc are presented in detail. This business plan serves as a basis for the business model, which studies the economic viability of the operator. Various scenarios are studied, each with different values for the main parameters (such as network size, number of networks, etc.). The results of these models give a structured view of the viability of the business for this virtual operator.