Summary
There have been impressive opportunities for optical network building in cities such as Chattanooga, TN; Lafayette, LA; and Burlington, Vermont. They are all run by municipal utilities. It makes a shorter walk for the politicians with a utility in the picture.
Analysis
A utility already has a brand name. It knows how to do customer service. It is well versed in marketing strategies. Another advantage includes ownership of rights of way and poles. A utility also potentially has a bonding authority. Alcatel-Lucent has a good system integration story for the municipal space as, for example, the supplier leverages its experience at AT&T with U-verse. For more information on this topic, please see the latest issue in our Municipal Utility Telecom Network Strategies Monthly, “Fiber Optic Electronics Equipment Suppliers: A Competitive Analysis.” The report can be purchased directly from GLG.
Samuel Greenholtz consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
