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Municipal Fiber Networks

Local Leadership in Connectivity

  • The organization has many of the disparate parts of constructing a fiber network, but no understanding as to where and how to start making one a reality.
  • There is community/political pressure to address the digital divide through community-controlled solutions.
  • Municipal fiber networks could mean anything from an internal fiber network to a comprehensive broadband solution.Where and how might such a network fit into your overall strategy?

Our Advice

Critical Insight

  • In order to design and build a “fit for purpose” solution, the purpose must first be defined.
  • An operating model bridges vision/strategy and execution.A minimum viable product high-level operating model for a municipal fiber network must at least define the deployment model to be used and structure of governance.
  • Municipal fiber networks will not be built completely from scratch or without use of existing assets.Each municipality will bring a different mix of assets to the table in these projects. Understand yours.

Impact and Result

  • Create a common understanding of what is to be built, for whom, and why.
  • Define what services will be offered and how they will be governed.
  • Understand which assets you already have that can jump-start the project.

Municipal Fiber Networks Research & Tools

1. Municipal Fiber Networks – A guide to understanding the reasons, models, and implications of municipally owned networks.

Before pursuing the build of a municipal fiber or broadband network, you need to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what is to be built and how it will be run. With this foundational work, clear plans and success criteria can be defined.


Municipal Fiber Networks

Local Leadership in Connectivity

Executive Summary

Your Challenge

  • The organization has many of the disparate parts of constructing a fiber network, but no understanding as to where and how to start making one a reality.
  • There is community/political pressure to address the digital divide through community-controlled solutions.
  • Municipal fiber networks could mean anything from an internal fiber network to a comprehensive broadband solution. Where and how might such a network fit into your overall strategy?

Common Obstacles

  • Building and maintaining a large-scale fiber network is not necessarily a core competency.
  • The money to deploy fiber with a “big bang” approach is not readily available.
  • The municipality doesn’t realize all the options that they have to participate in the traditionally telco-led, broader-connectivity landscape.

Info-Tech’s Approach

  • Understand your drivers and target market in order to build a network vision.
  • Define a high-level operating model for how a fiber network can be deployed and governed.
  • Understand your current assets and how they could be leveraged to aid in the initiative.
  • Map a path forward in achievable and realistic “work packages.”

Info-Tech Insight

Municipal fiber networks can be deployed in many ways to achieve many different goals. Ensure that you understand the drivers and target market for your deployment in order to build an appropriate end state.

What is a Municipal Fiber Network?

A municipal fiber network is a fiber network that is built out, owned, and/or operated by a municipality within its local region.

What purpose does it serve?

Municipal fiber networks can serve many different purposes depending on the needs of the community. Some common uses are as follows:
  • Connectivity among municipal buildings/office space.
  • Connectivity for important anchor institutions/agencies such as education or health care facilities.
  • Broadband internet access provided to the local community and businesses.
“When communities have a strong sense of what role fiber can play in the region’s development, they are better equipped to make sound decisions around network marketing, execution, and management.” (Source: OPInsight)

Why build one?

Challenges

  • Funding the build and operations of a fiber network can be costly. Funding through grants is generally a one-time lift in money and may leave financial gaps later.
  • Most municipalities are not structured or staffed to be internet service providers. (Sales, Marketing, Provisioning, Service Desk, etc.).

Benefits

  • When a municipality directs the building of a local fiber project, it can ensure that factors other than profitability can play a part in decisions as to where to deploy.
  • Municipalities are already experienced at funding and executing on large infrastructure projects (transit, roads, water, etc.). This experience can be translated to a fiber infrastructure build.

Why Do It?

There are many reasons that justify the value of building out a municipal fiber network. Potential areas of value are:
  • Addressing the digital divide
  • Better connectivity/control for municipal offices
  • Attracting business/economic benefit
“I think imaginative exercises can have a profound impact on the future – what you can imagine can sometimes turn into something you can figure out how to build.” (Vint Cerf)

Potential Project Triggers

Common reasons that may align with initiating a municipal fiber network project:

Grants
External money sources are currently available to initiate a broadband network build.

Large capital project initiating
A large portion of the cost of installing fiber is in opening and closing the ground. If this is already being done by a large infrastructure project like roads or water works, installing the fiber assets can be comparable to a rounding error.

Public demand
Frustration with the status quo in local broadband can cause the public to demand a municipal-led solution.

Long-term cost savings
Owning a municipal fiber network designed for internal use can potentially achieve cost savings over leasing the required connectivity.

Network Terminology

https://dj5l3kginpy6f.cloudfront.net/blueprints/mu...

Internet Exchange (IXP)
An Internet Exchange is a generally neutral common location where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other internet infrastructure companies exchange internet data.

Regional Point of Presence (PoP)
A Regional PoP is a location that a larger provider uses to aggregate data connections.

Backbone
A large connection used to connect core network components.

Middle Mile
The connection between the Last Mile and internet connectivity.

Last Mile
The connection from a local network to the end user’s location.

How do you approach creating a municipal fiber network?

Over 600 communities in the US are served by some form of municipal broadband

Community Network Map | community broadband networks (muninetworks.org)

Logo for .Logo for #iTRG.

CREATE A VISION

In order to design and build a “fit for purpose” solution, the purpose must first be defined.
  • What are the reasons for building municipal fiber?
  • Who are the intended end users?
  • What areas of a solution can be best addressed by the municipality?

DEFINE A HIGH-LEVEL OPERATING MODEL

An operating model bridges vision/strategy and execution. A minimum viable product high-level operating model for a municipal fiber network must at least define the deployment model to be used and structure of governance.

SERVICE MODELS
Defining the best approach to add value:
  • Passive
  • Wholesale
  • Fully integrated/Retail
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Every network is different. How will you govern yours?
  • Is this a net new structure?
  • Who will be part of your governance structure?
  • What form will the governance take?

UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT STATE

Most municipal fiber networks will not be built completely from scratch. Each municipality will bring a different mix of assets to the table in these projects.
  • Relationships: Private partners/agencies
  • Assets: Technology/facilities based
  • Skills: In-house knowledge
A venn of 'Relationships' Assets' and 'Skills'.

MAP A PATH FORWARD

A municipal fiber network can be a daunting project. Without clear and achievable targets, momentum will be lost, and the project can fail.
  • Tactics: Ways to improve the chances of success
  • Financials: Funding/Sustainability
  • Milestones: Realistic work packages
KEY INSIGHTS
Trying to be “everything to everyone” will lead to cost over runs and project failure. Keep your targets and timelines realistic and achievable.Long-term sustainability and financial feasibility are often overlooked in the planning of municipal broadband networks. Grant funding can help build the network but is generally a front-end, one-time infusion of money.

VISION

You need to identify your endpoint before starting your journey.

Almost one third (28%) of respondents to the Project Managements Institute’s “Pulse of the Profession” survey highlight “Inadequate vision/goal for the project” as the primary reason for project failures. (Source: PMI)

DRIVERS

What problem(s) are we looking to address? Is there local context to the problem(s) that must be understood?

TARGET MARKET

Who are we looking to solve the problem(s) for? Where are they and how do we reach them?

APPROACHES

What areas of a network can a municipality participate in to address the challenges of the target market?

Define the Project Drivers

Drivers will outline the Why

When defining drivers, start with documenting areas like:
  • Use cases for the potential fiber network
  • Need(s)/want(s) that the network could address
  • Problems that the network would be solving

This can be approached with a team through brainstorming, or external to a team through surveys/interviews, etc.

This data can be further refined by utilizing methods such as Affinity Diagraming or explored by using methods such as the 5 Whys.

Info-Tech Insight

The drivers or the “Why” of a project is a key component in assuring alignment with municipal vision and direction as well as securing funding and/or grants.
Affinity Diagramming

An affinity diagram (also called the KJ Method) is an activity used to organize large amounts of data into meaningful categories based on themes or natural relationships while reducing social biases.

5 Whys

The 5 Whys explores cause and effect relationships by asking the question “Why” five times in order to discover the “root cause” of a problem.

Potential Drivers

Drivers for an Internal Network
  • More reliable connectivity
  • Better speed
  • Wider coverage
  • Controlling costs
  • Smart cities initiative
  • Security
  • Public good (City Wi-Fi)
Drivers for an External Network
  • Better access for digital healthcare (Telehealth)
  • Better access for digital education (distance learning)
  • Addressing the digital divide
  • Driving economic benefits (local business)
Stock image of a construction crew working on a sidewalk.

Understand the Target Market

The target market defines Who will benefit

Defining the target market for a fiber network will help create a scope for the project. If the target market is too large, there is a higher risk of funding issues and longer timelines for delivery. If too many segments of the population are targeted there is risk of trying to be “everything to everyone” and losing project focus.

Understanding the defined target market will allow for better definition of local context for the drivers of the project. Using the target market as a lens to revisit the project drivers, local context for that specific market can be layered to add depth and nuance to the vision.

Info-Tech Insight

The Target Market, or the “Who” of a project, will help limit the scope of the project in order to ensure that our vision is achievable.
Potential Target Markets for Municipal Fiber Networks:

The Municipality
The municipality, its IT staff, and related agencies/departments.

Anchor Institutions
Large public or non-profit organizations in the community such as hospitals or universities.

Local Businesses
Local private businesses that provide economic value to the area.

The Public
Residential areas of the municipality.

Identify the Appropriate Approach

Approach outlines What will be provided

Defining what will be provided is required to appropriately plan and cost the future network. The approach must align with the drivers (problem you are solving) and the target market (who you are solving the problem for) in order to generate a coherent vision.

The approach should explore why the municipality deploying a solution in this manner is the best placed entity to solve the issues raised by the drivers for the specified target market.

Info-Tech Insight

The approach can grow or change over time. Ensure that your initial approach addresses current high visibility drivers and target market to increase the project profile and chances of success.
Potential Approaches for Municipal Fiber Networks:

Private Network
A network targeted at servicing the needs of the municipality and its direct departments.

Middle Mile
Providing connectivity from local access to regional PoPs or an internet exchange.

Public Network
A network designed to service the needs of the local public (residential or business).

Partnership
Partnering with local provider(s) to supply services.

Vision

Combine the Why, Who, and What to define a Vision

The vision should encompass the drivers, target market, and the approach to be taken. Ensure that your vision:

  • Highlights the reason(s) for the project
  • Outlines who the project targets to help
  • Clearly defines the intended manner of deployment
  • Explains why the municipality is in a position to enact the vision
The resulting vision should be succinct and consumable by a wide audience.
Stock image of a birds-eye-view map with dsitricts.

HIGH-LEVEL OPERATING MODEL

How you plan to operate can be as hard to design as the technical aspects of the network.

“An operating model translates strategic intent into operational capabilities. It serves as the foundation for execution and provides a clear guide for enterprise leadership team, line managers and operational teams.” (Source: EY)

DEPLOYMENT MODELS

What type of network will be built? What are the constraints? Who will operate it?

GOVERNANCE

Who makes the decisions? How is authority delegated? How do you balance stakeholder interest with risk mitigation?

Municipal Fiber Deployment Models

Common Deployment Models

The most common deployment models for municipalities building fiber networks can be summarized into three main groups:

  1. Passive Networks
  2. Wholesale Networks
  3. Fully Integrated Networks

Each of these groupings has different characteristics as well as different value propositions and risk profiles.

Info-Tech Insight

Though these groupings tend to describe the most common deployment models, they are not exhaustive. Other models can be used, or models may be blended, but you will want to ensure simplicity where possible to increase chances of success.
Diagram measuring the risk and value of different deployment models. Passive Network is lowest risk and value while Fully Integrated is highest in both.

Passive Network Model

Abstract

In a passive network model, the municipality will facilitate investment in and deployment of passive fiber infrastructure such as ducts and dark fiber. This passive network will be run as a “neutral operator” or “open access” network. Higher-level services in this scenario are generally provided on top of this network by private sector service providers.

Municipal Fiber Deployment Model 'Passive Network' with only the bottom of three capabilities available, 'Passive Network Equipment'.
Value
  • Municipality has control over where the fiber is deployed.
Considerations
  • A passive fiber network is closest in alignment to other infrastructure services that most municipalities already build and deliver. In most cases there would be no to minimal additional staff and services required by a municipality beyond what is already in place.
  • This model can be used as an internal-facing network as well. The fiber or conduit would be deployed by a central department, then the other departments/agencies would buy dark fiber or access to the conduit and run their own networks.
Risk
  • The maintenance of the passive infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality.

Wholesale Network Model

Abstract

In a wholesale network model, the municipality will deploy and activate (light up) a fiber network. Private sector service providers will purchase connectivity to end users on this network and layer services such as internet connectivity on top. This wholesale network will be run as a “neutral operator” or “open access” network.

Municipal Fiber Deployment Model 'Wholesale Network' with the bottom two of three capabilities available, 'Passive Network Equipment' and 'Access'.
Value
  • Municipality has control over where the fiber is deployed.
  • Municipality has more control over end-user pricing.
Considerations
  • Depending on the target of a municipality, having control over where fiber is deployed and the ability to strongly influence pricing without having to take on marketing or support functions can strike a nice balance.
  • This model can be used as an internal-facing network as well. The services would be deployed by a central department, then the other departments/agencies would connect and run their own networks. The central services could be deployed as layer 2 connectivity or potentially a private MPLS network.
Risk
  • The maintenance of the passive infrastructure as well as the equipment that lights the fiber is the responsibility of the municipality.

Fully Integrated Model

Abstract

In a fully integrated model, the municipality (or a designated single entity) will deploy and operate a full-service network offering. This offering could consist of private (point to point) as well as public (internet) services. The entire value chain including all surrounding services that promote and support the offering are the responsibility of the municipality (marketing, sales, provisioning, support, etc.).

Municipal Fiber Deployment Model 'Fully Integrated' with all three capabilities available, 'Passive Network Equipment', 'Access', and 'Services'.
Value
  • Municipality has control over where the fiber is deployed.
  • Municipality directly sets the prices to the end consumers.
Considerations
  • This model is most commonly referred to as municipal broadband.
  • Though there can be the most value delivered in this model, it also holds the highest risk. The initial cost to deploy these networks is high and at least one study* shows that the financial performance (and therefore sustainability) of these networks is not yet proven as a completely successful formula.
Risk
  • The maintenance of all infrastructure is the responsibility of the municipality.
  • The direct contact with and support of the end users is the responsibility of the municipality.

Other Potential Deployment Models

Incentive Model

Abstract

In an incentive model, the municipality is targeting to incent private industry to build the network(s) rather than own and operate it themselves. Incentives can be designed in many ways, but the underlying commonality is that the municipality will encourage the private companies to invest money locally by making installation of high-speed networks easy and attractive.

Value
  • No risk to the municipality in owning /operating/funding the asset.
Risk
  • The municipality has less control over where the network build is focused.
Considerations
  • Private sector values speed and predictability. They can be incented to invest money by minimizing barriers or speeding up process.

Strategic Intervention

Abstract

With strategic intervention, the municipality will identify opportunities to strategically partner with local institutions to achieve a targeted network goal such as addressing connectivity in a low-income or poorly serviced area. The goal is to act in a supporting role rather than asset owner or operator.

Value
  • This model allows for targeted solutions.
Risk
  • Any coverage is closer to opportunistic than cohesive and planned.
Considerations
  • Anchor institutions such as libraries or educational facilities can be partnered with to target-specific user groups.

Governance – Structure & Participants

Building a Minimum Viable Product

A minimum viable product for a governance structure demands that you have the answers to the following questions:

  1. Who will participate in the governance structure?
  2. How will the governance structure be organized?

Three common structures for Municipal Fiber Networks are:

  1. Participant governed
  2. Lead organization governed
  3. Administrative organization governed

Participant Governed

Participant governed networks are the simplest form of governance. In this form, the participants govern themselves with no unique governance entity. This can take place through regular meetings or simply loosely coordinated efforts.

Lead Org Governed

Lead-organization governed networks can be used when there is a dominant group among the participants. This group can assume the leadership position as it is either a core provider of the services or it controls the flow of key resources.

Administrative Org Governed

With a network administrative organization governance structure, a new entity is formed specifically to govern the network and its activities.

Governance – Areas of Governance

Building a Minimum Viable Product

Governance sets direction through prioritization and decision making and monitors overall performance. In a minimum viable product early governance of a municipal network, though addressing all areas of governance, needs to focus on strategic alignment, resource management, and value delivery.

Cycle of governance with sections: 'Strategic Alignment', 'Value Delivery', 'Risk Management', 'Resource Management', and 'Performance Management'.

Governance In Depth

For a deeper dive on appropriate governance see:Make Your IT Governance Adaptable

Process Model for making your IT governance adaptable with major steps: 'Establish your guiding principles', 'Select and define your model', 'Model update triggers', and 'Automation options and decision rules'.

CURRENT-STATE ASSESSMENT

You don’t have to start from scratch.

“By approving the creation of a city broadband network, ConnectTO will help ensure Torontonians are not being left behind ... The network will be created by using city assets, such as existing fibre assets, buildings, lights, sidewalks, and boulevards, and will be delivered to homes and businesses by a private sector partner.” (Source: City of Toronto)

ASSETS

Take an inventory of existing assets and see if any can be used by, or aid in, the current project.

SKILLS

Many municipalities already have an existing skillset in fiber and/or networking. Identify useful skills and what department they reside in.

RELATIONSHIPS

You can’t always do it all yourself. What existing relationships or partnerships exist that can aid in the project?

Assets

Abstract

Greenfield deployments are expensive and Brownfield deployments are hard. When planning the build of a municipal fiber network, we must balance a clean implementation of new technology versus reusing and integrating existing assets.

Most municipal fiber networks aren’t built completely greenfield. Before starting down the path of having a cohesive fiber network, many municipalities and their agencies have already invested in some form of fiber deployment that has remaining useful lifespan and has not yet been fully depreciated.

Fiber in the ground is also not the only asset that could aid in the building of a cohesive network. Control of assets to route fiber through or on should also be considered (poles, rights of way, etc.).

Pie chart titled 'Current State' with a 3rd labelled 'Assets' highlighted.

Potential Assets to Leverage
  • Fiber
  • Network devices
  • Rights of way
  • Pole access
  • Towers
  • Data centers
  • Co-location facilities
Considerations/Concerns
  • The original funding that purchased an asset can constrain its future use (if the asset was purchased with a grant, that grant might restrict what the asset can be used for).

Skills

Abstract

Every municipality has many skills internal to its structure that can be utilized in the design, deployment, and or operation of a fiber network. All the required skills that already exist in-house may not be readily apparent, which is why an inventory can be extremely helpful.

If we break the project down in a Plan, Build, Run paradigm, we can see areas of alignment between existing skill sets and those necessary for a fiber network.

Plan: Municipalities plan large infrastructure deployments on a regular basis (roads, water, transit, etc.). The planning and architecture skills relate here.

Build: Once planned, municipalities must deploy large infrastructure as well. Project management and construction skills relate here.

Run: All municipalities operate some form or network connectivity.

Pie chart titled 'Current State' with a 3rd labelled 'Skills' highlighted.

Potential Skills to Capitalize on
  • Deploying fiber assets
  • Maintaining fiber assets
  • Network design/deployment/operations
  • Project management (large projects)
  • Infrastructure construction
Considerations/Concerns
  • Skills may be required to deploy or maintain a network that are not needed often. These skills may be expensive to maintain in-house.

Relationships

Abstract

It is hard to be everything to everyone. Not all skill sets necessarily belong or make sense to have in-house. Building relationships or partnerships to help fill these gaps can greatly accelerate standing up and running a municipal fiber network.

Relationships should be explored both to potentially take advantage of an existing skillset and also to gain access to assets that may aid in the deployment or operation of the network.

Skills like sales and marketing or end user support may be areas that a municipality does not want to invest in developing talent at scale for. Fiber installation and repair can require highly skilled people using specialized tools that the municipality may not want to invest in.

There is often value in specific locations or existing assets that the municipality may not want to acquire or duplicate.

Pie chart titled 'Current State' with a 3rd labelled 'Relationships' highlighted.

Potential Relationships to Explore
  • Other municipal departments/agencies
  • Local anchor institutions
  • Local fiber installers/maintenance
  • Local ISPs/network connectivity providers
  • Local data center/Telecom hotels (Meet-Me points)
Considerations/Concerns
  • Some deployments of a municipal fiber network (like municipal broadband) require the existence of departments that are not usually in existence in a municipality. Relationships and partnerships can be used to fill that gap.

MAP A PATH FORWARD

Set yourself up for success.

“There is a history of municipal networks that failed to meet their financial targets, forcing taxpayers and or municipal utility customers to shoulder large financial losses. Organizational skills and financial capabilities are needed to successfully manage complex municipal broadband network projects.” (Source: EM Compass)

TACTICS

How can we best approach constructing what has been designed? What are some tactics to create value quickly/consistently?

FINANCIALS

Nothing is free. The network has to have viable financials or it will be a drain on the municipality who will have to make up the difference.

MILESTONES

Municipal fiber networks are generally large. It is important to set realistic and reasonable goals.

Tactics

Dig Once Policy

In its simplest form, a “Dig Once” policy states that whenever the ground is opened for any work or project, the opportunity must be examined for installing other (potentially unrelated) items. In this case the items would be conduit and / or fiber assets.

Regulatory Environment

Understand the current regulatory environment surrounding fiber and networks in your particular locality. If there are restrictions or hurdles, be prepared to contribute to change by lobbying or joining with relevant groups to advance local interests.

Service Mapping

Understand the local telecom landscape and which areas are over/under served. Building in an area that already has many existing providers can greatly impact the usefulness and financial viability of a build.

Incent Private Industry

Work with private companies who provide these services in your area to understand the barriers to further investment. Build incentives to overcome the potential barriers or hurdles where possible. These companies may also be open to helping fund required changes to process.

Standards

Clearly define standards and guidelines for network buildouts. For fiber, these standards should define things such as conduit/ducting, vault placement, hand wells, etc. When the standards are clearly defined ahead of time, adding to an existing infrastructure project is greatly simplified.

Anchor Institutions

Anchor institutions in the area such as health or educational-related facilities that are generally government related or adjacent agencies located in or near higher-population density areas. Using a “to and through” strategy can help bring connectivity to these key service providers as well as potentially be used as jump-off points to reach other areas.

Infrastructure Projects

Align with present and future large infrastructure projects. Large infrastructure projects may require the network as a foundational aspect (transit corridors, smart cities initiatives, etc.), or be opening the ground at an already allocated cost.

New Development

Define standards and requirements for fiber infrastructure to be installed in all new builds alongside other required services such as water or electricity.

Financials

Understand the full financial impact and how to appropriately fund it

Fully and appropriately funding a municipal network over its useful lifespan is often not explored as thoroughly as it should be. Different types of funding are more appropriate for different aspects of the network lifecycle, knowing which to use when is important in ensuring that the build is viewed as an appropriate investment.

Info-Tech Insight

In an independent study, a high percentage of municipal broadband networks were found to have issues with demonstrating their ability to pay off the asset within its useful lifespan.

* Municipal Fiber in the United States: An Empirical Assessment of Financial Performance
Timeline of the 'Lifetime Financial Impact of Network Asset'. There are three sections 'Design: Create a Realistic Plan', 'Deploy: Shovels in the Ground', and 'Operate: Support & Maintenance' with activities for each.

Potential Funding Sources

Grants
  • Must be applied for and awarded
Grants may be available for constructing network assets from a variety of sources. In order to be able to align a project to the available grants, it is important to understand the goals and scope of your project and have it clearly defined. Having a clearly defined project will improve speed of application to available grants.
  • May come with restrictions as to what the asset built with the money may be used for
  • Non-recurring money
Private Investment
  • Must be able to show financial viability of a project
Private investment can take many forms. Partnerships with levels of ownership can be carefully defined. Bonds can be issued that will be repaid over many years with revenue generated from the network to be built. In order to be successful, the ability to show that sufficient future revenues to repay the debt/bond will be required.
  • There may be restrictions on how bonds are issued for telecommunications infrastructure in your area
  • Ownership most often connotes control
Tax Based
  • Must have strong local support for the project
Special property tax assessments or Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) can be used to fund an initial network build. Bonds can be issued to be repaid with future tax revenues to allow access to large initial sums of money for a network build upfront.
  • Money of the amount needed for most network deployments from tax solutions is spread over a significant period of time
  • Tax revenues diverted for specific projects can cause issues with other services
Cost Avoidance
  • Will be gained as the project is deployed
When a network build is used to replace existing telecommunications services for the local government, the money that was originally designated to lease circuits can be reinvested to further build out the network.
  • Only realized as a project is deployed, no initial money
  • The new network is not free, some money has to be allocated for support and maintenance before reinvesting

Milestones

Rome wasn’t built in a day; don’t expect your network to be…

Most municipal network projects are considered large relative to the size of the organization undertaking the effort. In order to ensure the smooth and timely execution of these projects it is important to break them down into manageable project components. Once defined, these project components need to be documented and all interdependencies mapped to allow for an understanding of proper prioritization and order during deployment.

Breaking the project into manageable components can help…

Funding

A project of this size may not be fully funded upfront. By breaking the project down into reasonable components, it is possible that each component can be more easily funded for the fraction of the total overall project cost. This also allows for multiple grants to be used across the components.

Early Value

If the project is subdivided into manageable components, the initial components will be completed earlier than the overall project would have been. This allows for showing value earlier than would have been achieved had the project been tackled as a whole.
Visualization of a road with green 'Component' signs between 'Start' and 'Completion' signs

Project Momentum

When projects take a long time to deploy with little visible movement over time, interest can wane. The results of this can be less excitement for the project, less funding, less of people’s time, etc. When broken into components, each component’s completion will drive the project forward, ensuring momentum and that the project remains top of mind.

Alignment

A large component of the cost in many network installations is the civic work (E.g. digging and repairing ground). When the network project is broken into components, these components can be aligned in time with any other infrastructure projects, potentially saving cost and effort.

Research Contributors and Experts

  • Dolan Beckel, Chief of Staff for the City Manager, City of San Jose
  • Jerry Driessen, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
  • Brent Messer, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
  • Scott Magerfleisch, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group

Bibliography

“Appendix: PMI 2021 Pulse of the Profession Report.” PMI, n.d. Web.

Chao, Becky et al. “The Cost of Connectivity 2020.” New America, July 15 2020. Accessed Oct. 21 2022

“City council approves program to increase access to affordable high speed internet in Toronto.” City of Toronto, Feb. 5, 2021.

“Community Network Map.” Community Networks. Accessed Oct 21 2022.

“Durham Region Business Case Study for Broadband Municipal Services Corporation (MSC).” Durham Region, September 2 2021. Accessed Oct. 15 2022.

Houngbonon, Georges V. et al. “Municipal Broadband Networks – Opportunities, Business Models, Challenges, and Case Studies.” EM Compass, Note 107, November 2021. Accessed15 Oct. 2022.

Jarque, Carlos et al. “The State of Broadband 2021: People-Centred Approaches for Universal Broadband.” Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, September 2021. Accessed Oct. 20 2022.

“Municipal Fiber Networks: The Ultimate Guide.” OSPInsight, Accessed Oct. 20 2022.

Murphy, Annie et al. “Operating Models: Delivering on strategy and optimizing processes.” EY, 2016. Accessed Oct. 21 2022.

Yoo, Christopher S. et al. “Municipal Fiber in the United States: An Empirical Assessment of Financial Performance.” University of Pennsylvania Law School, March 2017. Accessed Oct. 20 2022.

Yoo, Christopher S. et al. “Municipal Fiber in the United States: A Financial Assessment.” University of Pennsylvania Law School, January 15 2022. Accessed Oct. 20 2022.

About Info-Tech

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Author

Scott Young

Contributors

  • Dolan Beckel, Chief of Staff for the City Manager, City of San Jose
  • Jerry Driessen, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
  • Brent Messer, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
  • Scott Magerfleisch, Executive Counselor, Info-Tech Research Group
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