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Technology Stocks : The *NEW* Frank Coluccio Technology Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ftth who wrote (5153)	3/5/2002 12:35:29 AM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 46821

Thanks. If the article is accurate about the winning bidders performing the design and engineering as well, then my earlier understanding about a pre-existing design was incorrect, and I'd have to adjust my thinking on this. Could it be that the physical layer was largely roughed out by the city by defining the referenced pathways and nodes on the map that was issued in the RFP, with the upper layers and construction engineering issues left to be performed by the awardee(s)? That's what it sounds like. The winning contractor would also in effect be the physical-level (and logical-level?) custodian of fiber facilities that would be resold to other service providers, if I'm reading this correctly. This in some ways mimics what Anaheim, Austin and a few other cities have done with duct banks (conduit) and in some cases fiber, as well. One aspect that I'm not very clear on is ownership. The article states that at the end of the project the city will not own the network. Instead, it will seek to keep it open for competitors to use. That's fine, but who holds title to it? Does it simply assimilate into the commons, like a piece of land subject to common use? If so, it sounds like a lot of optimistic thinking. Network engineering and upkeep is not quite the same as landscaping the lawns that surround city haul. ---- I recall another situation when two Bells were knocked out of the running by a smaller contractor: "SpectraNet International is a San Diego, California-based company with specialized skills that partners with cities throughout the United States to develop, finance and operate all-fiber broadband networks. In February of 1997, SpectraNet prevailed over AT&T and Pacific Bell to win Anaheim City Council approval to build the city's fiber optic telecommunications network. Anaheim's fiber-to-the-premises telecommunications network will be technologically advanced and reliable. The new network will be open to multiple service providers -- voice, video, data, multi-media and others -- who can share a digital pathway to Anaheim businesses, institutions and government offices. Future plans call for network expansion to residents." netconstruct.com fcw.com There sure was a lot written about these city nets during the '97-'98 time frame, Palo Alto, especially. I wonder how they're all doing today. This sounds like a good theme for an industry conference or symposium, tallying and examining all of the lessons learned. FAC