Regional Networks and Operator Neutrality in Finland

Abstract

Broadband Internet access is not hype but everyday reality. Internet service providers are calling everything that is sufficient for using current Internet services as broadband. The use for broadband is changing towards high bandwidth services, like IPTV. However current broadband connections limit deployment of new high bandwidth services. In this paper we examine a network access model where access to end users is owned by a network access company and services are provided by separate companies. This model is called operator neutral network (ONN) model and it is assumed to promote the number of available services as they are treated equally by the network owner. We also study the situation of regional networks in Finland and classify them