What You Should Know About Open-Access Networks and Your Internet

Many cities, like mine, are starting to see painted symbols dotting the streets. Here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they're installing fiber for Gigapower, an open-access network, and marking the water and gas lines. An open-access fiber network is installed by a company that then sells access to ISPs. That means you can have multiple providers offering plans for your house. When Gigapower arrives at my house, it won't be my internet service provider. Gigapower represents a different fiber model. Here's what home internet customers need to know about open-access networks. Locating local internet providers What is an open-access network and how does it work? Chances are, your home is covered by one or more internet providers, each with its own infrastructure -- whether cable, fiber, DSL or 5G, like my T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Open-access networks flip this concept on its head. An open-access fiber network is installed by a company that then sells access to ISPs. That means you can ... Read full article.