The Five Nine: Gigapower, Utopia take open access networks to the U.S.

This week, we sat down to unpack one of the biggest emerging concepts in the broadband space – the open access network. 

Open access, like any broadband network, is no cakewalk and comes with its own share of challenges. But it also presents underrated opportunities for the industry, particularly in the United States where the model is less often used.  

Utopia Fiber and Gigapower are two of just a handful of open access players in the U.S.  

Utopia reaches nearly two dozen cities in Utah and has also been involved in projects in Idaho, Montana and California. Gigapower, meanwhile, is a joint venture between AT&T and investment company BlackRock which is initially aiming to achieve 1.5 million passings in 8 markets.  

So, we sat down with Utopia CEO Roger Timmerman and Gigapower CRO Jeff Seidenfaden to chat about what makes open access unique, how each has made things work, and what pages other operators can take from their playbook.  

To learn more about the topics in this episode:  

• Gigapower CEO says open access network is ‘picking up speed’ as JV expands to NM
• CEO Exclusive: Utopia Fiber chief thinks AT&T isn't really doing open access 

• UTOPIA continues to weave web of ISPs

• SiFi, Sumo Fiber: Open access networks aren’t a piece of cake

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