GENEVA – The sharing of infrastructure could spur broadband growth by lowering the costs of network rollout, says a new report from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The report, called Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2008: Six Degrees of Sharing, details strategies designed to “optimize and maximize investment in broadband networks and ICT equipment and services,” and promote widespread, affordable broadband access.
2008 was marked by “unparalleled” numbers of voice and Internet consumers in both the developing and developed world, the report continues, which is the result of network growth and expansion. But network development could slow considerably as the global financial crisis makes it difficult for investors to obtain financing to continue their efforts. And this is where sharing strategies could come in to play.
“Sharing strategies are increasingly necessary to ensure that operators can deploy their networks at low cost while guaranteeing that consumers have access to affordable services," said Sami Al Basheer, director of ITU’s telecommunication development bureau. "Now, more than ever, sharing strategies make sense as operators are forced to reduce the costs of network deployment as they compete for scarce investment funds. This is a forward-looking perspective in light of the current financial and economic uncertainty."
Sharing strategies include the sharing of civil engineering costs in deploying networks, promoting open access to network support infrastructure (poles, ducts, conduits), essential facilities (submarine cable landing stations and international gateways) as well as access to radio-frequency spectrum and end-user devices.
For more information on the report, click here.
