Urban Network
Urban networks are the broadband networks that are geographically limited. They are often limited to a municipality. The investments for the network often come from the communal power companies. The purpose of the urban networks is to provide a carrier-independent infrastructure. The urban networks provide the connection but the services are supplied by the commercial actors.
There are different variations of urban networks. They vary depending on where they operate in the value chain, or in other words, how the network should operate. There are among others city urban networks with owners that rent out fiber or network owners that sell services. Internationally speaking the urban networks are rare.
The Swedish broadband market is different from other countries. The competition is in general much bigger which causes prices to be lower. Having fiber increases the value of facilities as well as apartments. The purpose of having a carrier-independent infrastructure is that both individuals and companies can use the network and its benefits.
- The urban network supplies the connection while the services are supplied by commercial actors – better prices (dark fibre)
- The network owners of the urban networks sell services – a strong actor with low prices (rental of band width)
- Activating urban networks is done with technical equipment from chosen actor
- Swedish urban networks goal is to promote end-customers open and free use of services.
- Owners and carries of the urban network are responsible for its functionality, stability, availability and quality.
- All service suppliers offer equal technical and commercial terms when providing network.
- All suppliers can deliver services on an open market.
The digital agenda for 2020
In 2020 the Swedish government is aiming for that 95% of all companies and households should have access to broadband of at least 100 Mbit/s. It’s one of the toughest goals in broadband. The governments vision is to have a connected Sweden. It provides better prerequisites to live and operate in the whole country.
Many municipalities have the goal or working towards this and have decided of a broadband strategy for the communal development. Many communes have created a digital agenda to get the best fiber communication aspects and in that way offer inhabitants more services over the network.
The agenda includes among others the decision of digging license for fiber networks and ackommodation methods. This is essential for an effective and fast fiber layout to citizens in different communes. To offer broadband to all households can help give people in scarcely populated areas the ability to run a successful operation with help of faster technology.
IP telephony and streaming
With IP telephony you only need a connection for internet and telephony which makes it cheaper and easier to call. There are solutions for both companies and individuals. For companies it may include unlimited lines in the PBX and cheaper national and international calls to mobile phones.
To have all communication over one and the same network brings a many benefits such as fixed subscriptions, lower costs for landline telefoni, and clear sound thanks to the digital calls as well as increased availability. Since the internet connected and telephony use the same network, the security can be monitored in an easier way.
Streaming and video calls are becoming more popular with more working from home. It’s in those cases important to check that your internet is up to par with what you need. Streaming requires a stable and good connection. If several units use the same network you need a speed of at least 50-80 Mbit/s.