Diffraction Analysis is a consultancy combining the expertise of Tactis, a European NGA consultancy, and Benoît Felten, an NGA thought leader. It researches global next-generation access (NGA) trends to map transformations in the space. The document discusses the debate around public intervention in infrastructure deployment, arguing universal access is needed to fully leverage next-gen infrastructure for public services and the local economy. It also outlines implications for project philosophy, emphasizing ubiquitous infrastructure and coordinated services, and implications for project technology like reliance on open community networks over proprietary access.

1. THE UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY
REVOLUTION
Benoît Felten, CEO
benoit@diffractionanalysis.com

2. Who is Diffraction Analysis ?
• Diffraction Analysis is a combination
of expertise and resources between Tactis Benoît Felten
Tactis, a recognized European NGA
Established European Thought leader in NGA
consultancy and Benoît Felten, a NGA Consultancy strategies, known and
renowned NGA thought leader. specialised in Digital respected global analyst
Territory Strategies, Policy and « infamous » tech
and Regulation. blogger.
• Diffraction Analysis’ research is
global in scope and relies on
regional expertise in key trending
markets to map progression,
successes and failures and leading
transformations in the NGA space.
Diffraction Analysis
• Diffraction Analysis is
Global Research and Consultancy specialised in
headquartered in Paris with the revolution in the access and the
employees and contributors all over transformation it drives in the telecom
the world. ecosystem.

3. Where does this all start?

4. Why is the question of public intervention back?
• Infrastructure and services are two different businesses
• The copper network wasn’t built with private money
• Private next-generation infrastructure deployment is not
really happening in most markets
• When next-generation infrastructure is deployed, it’s done in
a captive way to ensure low competition

5. Common arguments for public involvement?
« We need a fiber to the premise infrastructure and private
businesses want to sweat their copper. »
« We need an alternative infrastructure to encourage service
competition. »
« We need a universal infrastructure to connect all citizens, not
just those that cost less or pay more. »
Fiber to the Premise
Competitive
Universal

6. How do private businesses respond?
Fiber
There’s no demand for FTTP and it’s too expensive.
to the xDSL is enough for the foreseeable future.
Premises
Cable is competition (or) bitstream access will be the
Competitive platform for future competition.
We are a private business and cannot be expected to
Universal connect everyone without public money.

7. Universal Access Makes the Difference
Citizens
Urban Parents Voters
Planning Education
Home-Owners
Professionals
Local Healthcare
Tax Office Community Childhood
Information Services
Universal
Public Competitive Social Public
Administration Registry FTTP Housing Services
Office
Infrastructure
Social
Elections Services
Employment
Grocery,
Local Supermarkets
Safety Home
Security Culture Public
Banks
Library
Businesses

8. Example One: Getting a Building Permit
Citizens
Urban Parents Voters
Planning Education
Citizens Video-communication
Home-Owners
for interactions
Local Professionals Remote Form-Filling
Healthcare Childhood
Tax Office Community
Information Services
Shared project wiki
Universal
Public Competitive Social Public
Administration Registry FTTP Housing Services
Office
Infrastructure
Social
Benefits
Services
Elections
Employment
Grocery, Citizen:
Local Supermarkets time saved, less hassle
Safety Home
Security Culture
Municipality:
Public
Banks
traceability, time Library
saved,
Businesses money saved

9. Example Two: Setting up an Appointment
Citizens
Urban Parents Voters
Planning Education
Citizens
Home-Owners
Local Professionals
Healthcare Childhood
Tax Office Community
Information Services
Universal
Public Competitive Social Public
Administration Registry FTTP Housing Services
Office
Infrastructure
Social
Elections Services
Benefits
Employment
Multi-screen interface
Grocery,
Local for appointments
Supermarkets Citizen:
Safety Home time saved, less hassle
Security Culture Public
Banks Reminders/easy
Municipality:
Library
cancellation
time & money saved
Businesses

10. Example Three: Public & Private Safety
Citizens
Urban Parents Voters
Planning Video-monitoring
Citizens Education
Home-Owners in streets and social
housing
Local Professionals
Healthcare
Alerting systems to
Childhood
Tax Office Community
Information private surveilance and
Services
Universal public enforcement
Public Competitive Social Public
Administration Registry FTTP Housing Services
Office
Infrastructure
Social
Benefits
Services
Elections
Employment
Grocery, Citizen:
Local Supermarkets safety, peace of mind
Safety Home
Security Culture
Municipality:
Public
Banks
Library
public safety,
Businesses coordination & response

11. Implications on Project Philosophy
• Municipalities will only truly leverage next-generation
infrastructure if they are ubiquitous
• Only those municipalities that are willing to completely
rethink the way public services are offered should launch
large-scale, long-term infrastructure projects
• The impact on the local economy, social welfare and
(consequently) the political windfall can be significant, but
only if the infrastructure and the services are designed
together

12. Implications on Project Technology
Public e-services
Internet
Internet Access
Wholesale Community LAN
Infrastructure Infrastructure
PC, Smartphone PC, Smartphone, TV, Text, Phone
Citizens

13. An ideal scenario
• Relying on internet access is an easy solution that may not
always be relevant because it requires adoption of a
commercial product for access
• Whether internet is the solution or not, intermediation
between stakeholders needs to be curated, ideally by a local
private business
• If PPPs can be a way to obtain universal access without
sacrificing future-proofing or competition, they are well worth
pursuing

14. No bed of roses
• Private access providers (especially incumbents and cable
operators) will fight back with all they have:
Fiber to the What Future Siphoning Innovation or
Press Release Needs? Subsidies Litigation?
• Scale and competence are necessary for economic viability
• Fragmented local networks do not a national network make

15. Some Conclusions
1
Universal access enables the rethink of public
services (and other local businesses)
2
In the absence of private investment, communities
can take matters into their own hands
3
Don’t work in isolation, build bridges to other muni-
networks
4 It’s a long and hard road

16. Thank You !
Benoît Felten, CEO
benoit@diffractionanalysis.com
@fiberguy
+33 6 18 24 31 89