However, Google may be
able to make the numbers pencil better with a fiber to the node (FTTN) network
in these unserved and underserved areas, mixing in aerial fiber cable plant where
the cost of burying fiber conduit is overly expensive. Using the FTTN model described in this
November 2008 white paper, Google would bring Internet “trunk” connections
to neighborhood nodes. Property owners
could join together in a telecom cooperative – compared to a condominium in the paper
-- to build the final fiber segment to bridge the gap from their premises to the
neighborhood nodes. The cost of the
construction for those projects in rural areas can be financed by low cost, long term loan funding offered by the
federal Rural Utilities Service.
The paper notes the
property owners would economically benefit given research showing adding a fiber
“tail” to a residential property increases its marketability, thereby allowing
property owners to recoup and potentially profit from any upfront investment
they would have to make to fund the cooperative and get wired up.
It’s worth noting
that although disclaiming official representation of Google, the white paper titled
Homes with Tails: What if you could own
your Internet connection? is co-authored by Derek Slater, a Google policy
analyst. Back when Slater wrote the
paper, Google wasn’t in the fiber infrastructure business. Now that it is, Google management would be
well advised to dust off Slater’s paper and give it another look.