FTTH Business Guide - AWT.be

Example: HanseNet
HanseNet (Alice Germany) is deploying an FTTB network in the Eimsbüttel area
in Hamburg. Based on the GPON standard, the network will connect every
customer with 100Mbps via VDSL2 with an optical network unit (ONU) placed
in the basement of the building. HanseNet provides triple-play services (voice,
broadband, TV), and video-on-demand.
HanseNet has decided to use the “vertically integrated” model. This means
that all three layers – passive, active and retail services – are under its control.
The layers have been planned, built and commissioned by HanseNet with its
own resources or implemented under its project leadership. As one of the
biggest ISPs on the German telecommunications market, HanseNet has the
professionals and expertise to plan and implement the whole network.
Planning guidelines for the passive and active network were written by
HanseNet. These guidelines regulate how the network must be built in future,
no matter who builds it. HanseNet could choose to give one or more network
layers to another company to build and operate, but the partners would be
strictly bound to the guidelines laid down by HanseNet.
Conversely, it is also possible for HanseNet to establish partnerships with other
FTTx-providers, whether they are just building up a passive or active network or
whether they are a vertically integrated operator. Until now HanseNet has
been using service platforms from other carriers in Germany to distribute the
Alice portfolio all over Germany. Therefore HanseNet will also be able to
integrate new FTTx wholesale customers into the existing IT-platform.
The main reason for choosing a vertically integrated model was because
HanseNet wanted to have a technical and financial proof of concept. Using the
experiences gained from the Hamburg trial, HanseNet will be able to determine
the value of potential partners. This is important because it is unlikely that a
single provider will be able to build up FTTx networks all over Germany; instead
there will be a lot of partnerships for a German-wide rollout of FTTx networks.
Another reason HanseNet did everything itself was because there were no
possible partners available to do a passive network rollout in Hamburg, and
there were no possible partners able to build up an active network. Owing to its
market share of nearly 40 percent, HanseNet was the only service provider
willing to make such an investment in Hamburg.
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