Facilities-based competition brings some clear benefits, namely the chance to dramatically change the realm of possibility.
The best examples in the fixed networks business are cable TV hybrid fiber coax and fixed wireless, which have cost and performance profiles distinct from either all-copper, fiber-to-curb or fiber-to-home networks. Many would add to that list satellite delivery of content and internet access services.
The next change will be the emergence of mobile and fixed wireless networks using millimeter wave spectrum representing as much as 10 GHz of new capacity, in a mobile business that uses less than 1 GHz of spectrum.
10 Gbps internet access is the promise of the DOCSIS 3.1 specification for cable TV hybrid fiber coax networks. To reach such levels will require outside plant upgrades that are feasible but non-trivial, requiring a shift to “full duplex” operation.
The larger point is that facilities-based competition offers chances to provide service where some platforms struggle, especially in tougher deployment scenarios where cost per passing, cost per customer and revenue per account are issues. Satellite, fixed wireless and mobile networks offer good examples.
In other cases different platforms can offer some amount of differentiated experience. Mobile substitution for fixed services provides the best example. But cable operators believe they can create different experiences using public hotspots and greater quality of service for indoor Wi-Fi.
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