SiFi Networks is building 10 Gbps open access fiber across US

SiFi Networks is dangling 10 Gbps capabilities in front of US operators, aiming to entice them to adopt a more European infrastructure model and sign on as tenants on its wholesale fiber network rather than building out the last mile themselves. SiFi has build commitments in place covering 13 cities across seven states. This will eventually yield a projected footprint of “well over” 40 million feet of fiber covering more than half a million homes and businesses. The company's open access network model is fairly revolutionary in the US, although “It’s very much commonplace in other countries, in particular in Europe, said  CEO Ben Bawtree-Jobson. "[B]ut in the US having last-mile infrastructure that’s independently operated, that isn’t under the control of the service provider is a new model." This is primarily due to the “the legislative influence of the big telco and cable operators,” said Jeff Heynen, VP of broadband access and home networking at analyst firm Dell’Oro Group. He said major incumbents like Verizon and AT&T “were able to successfully lobby legislators that they should own their networks and equipment because they bear the heavy cost of the initial deployment.” In states like North Carolina, these players even convinced lawmakers to “block the rollout of municipal fiber networks because they were argued to be unnecessary.”