SiFi Networks targets 30 cities in 2022 for open access networks

Oct. 4, 2021

SiFi Networks states that it’s “working actively” with nearly 100 communities.

Source: Business Wire

“The open access model opens up new markets quickly for ISPs at a lower capital exposure. These ISPs—including smaller companies that are ordinarily locked out of the market—now have access to a large customer base and can build a brand. ISPs in SiFi FiberCity networks wind up with great margins,” asserted Ben Bawtree-Jobson, CEO, SiFi Networks.

Flush with cash after a recent agreement with Dutch fund manager APG (see “APG creates joint venture with SiFi Networks to further 10G FTTP builds”), SiFi Networks says it plans to launch open access networks in 30 U.S. “FiberCities” by the end of 2022. The company will spend $2 billion in private investment money on the efforts, according to Ben Bawtree-Jobson, the company’s CEO.

SiFi Networks partners with local authorities to create open access FiberCities fiber to the premises (FTTP) infrastructure. The company is currently active in East Hartford, CT; Salem, MA; Saratoga Springs, NY; and Placentia, Simi Valley, and Fullerton, CA. SiFi Networks states that it’s “working actively” with nearly 100 communities.

Service providers GigabitNow and Flume Internet are companies revealed to be providing services over SiFi Networks’ FTTP infrastructure. The FTTP infrastructure provider says it has created a partner program that will enable ISPs to receive RFPs, have their operations vetted, and potentially have access to potential customer connected to SiFi Networks’ FTTP infrastructure.

“SiFi Networks is on a huge growth path,” said Bawtree-Jobson. “With a vast amount of capital raised to fuel our growth plans—we’ll be expanding our deployment of fiber next month and expect to be passing 40,000 homes per month by 2023. In our FiberCities, we make open access fiber available to every home, business, and anchor institution in the communities we serve.”

SiFi adds that it’s open to adding smart city applications to its FiberCities infrastructures. Such applications can cover benefits such as public WiFi, traffic management, public safety enhancements, more efficient street lighting, and improved access to government services. “We’re able to partner with communities to build FiberCities on an open access network, using private capital, at no cost to taxpayers. It’s a win for consumers, it’s a win for business, and it’s a win for government,” Bawtree-Jobson added.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

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