ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses facilities-based alternate network operators, and how they should challenge of the next-generation network. It also focuses on business segments considered horizontally. Multinationals tend to work with bigger carrier players, and because of their buying power and substantial in-house integration resources, are often commodity purchasers of basic connectivity services at deeply discounted rates. Large enterprises have been a “sweet spot” target for most carriers. They are few enough to justify dedicated account teams, complex enough to require customized and bespoke solutions, and rich enough to pay for them. Consequentially, the margins can be good if the proposition is right. The consumer sector is characterized by the centrality of access. In pretty much every developed country a regional or national incumbent monopolizes the ownership of copper loops to the household. Usually, the only competition in providing a two-way service mechanism is a cable company.
