dict. - Ionary's information of interest

.Ionary takes a collaborative approach. We find the best collaborators, seeking client satisfaction. We also seek out information from many sources. We work with the information industry, and provide information for both our clients and the pubilc.

A checklist for the new Competitive Local Exchange Carrier

Telecommunications competition is not dead yet! The 2001-2008 FCC has certainly been discouraging competive startups, but selective opportunities still exist. One of the "classic" approaches to competition is to use Unbundled Network Elements, and in particular the local loop (UNE-L). This can support voice and data services (DSL), and potentially some switched digital video. This isn't the same as UNE Platform, in which the entire local phone line was resold under UNE rates. That was phased out starting in 2004 and what's left are only limited opportunities to enter into "commercial agreements" with incumbent carriers.

ionary Consulting and BackUP Telecom Consulting have jointly created a checklist to assist Competitive Local Exchange Carrier clients in getting their facilities-based UNE-L networks up and running quickly. This is especially useful for startups, for DSL providers seeking to add voice service, and for UNE Platform carriers seeking to migrate to UNE Loop operation.

This timeline shows a "best case" scenario of the tasks that need to be accomplished before bring up a new switch and initial UNE-L collocation, noting the various dependencies that need to be met along the way. Given the FCC's assault upon both UNE Platform and pure DSL providers, many CLECs have moved in this direction. Ionary and BackUP together provide many of the required services, as noted in the checklist.

Some other examples of how Ionary can support clients:

ionary has a large spreadsheet model illustrating the financial requirements of a startup CLEC. It focuses on the "smart build" UNE-Loop model, in which the CLEC owns its own switching but depends on leased loops and collocation in order to reach its subscribers. This is our favorite entry method, especially for ISPs seeking to build a complementary CLEC business. We can work with a potential CLEC to evaluate its options and see what it can afford, using over 200 variables to acommodate local conditions as well as the CLEC's business model.

CLECs who enter the Digital Subscriber Line market have to face the fact that standard ADSL technology has a limited range, and can therefore only be used by subscribers who are relatively close to the central office. Using Geographic Information System tools and a growing collection of data bases, Fred Goldstein has produced maps and statistics that estimate what share of subscribers in a given area are probably loop-qualified for DSL. Here's an illustrative map of population and central offices west of Boston.

Mesh networks are becoming a popular way for Wireless ISPs to build networks. While they save on backhaul costs by using the same antennas (but ideally, separate radios) for both subscriber access and backbone mesh connections, their success is dependent on terrain and other factors. Many early municipal mesh projects have failed. Using a terrain-based modeling tool such as RadioMobile, we can help estimate how a mesh network will behave in a given area. Here is an example of how coverage might be in a small city with an 11-node mesh.

Links to some interesting web sites:

Telecom Digest, one of the Internet's oldest moderated mailing lists, with archives and related information on its web site.

Areacode Info has useful information on area codes and pointers to other interesting sites.

Local calling guide, by Ray Chow, shows local calling areas for the USA and Canada. This volunteer effort is more accurate than some costly commercial data bases.

Cybertelecom is Bob Cannon's collection of telecom and Internet policy and law resources. I also recommend the associated mailing list, especially if you're a policy wonk.

Slashdot, because it's there. If you can get past the youthful exuberance by Linux devotees and gamers, some good tech news shows up on the site.

Robotics.net, Nathan Stratton's web site hosting good CLEC resources, including a "CLEC how-to" from the glory days (2000).

Some other consultants Ionary's Fred Goldstein has worked with:

BackUP Telecom Consulting, Mary Lou Carey's consultancy providing a range of services including AOCN, ASR provisioning, bill auditing.

Interisle Consulting Group provides high-end consulting services applying Internet and software technology to the financial industry, public safety, telecommunications, and other industries.

Roger Hay and Associates, providing Telecom and electronics management consulting.

PDS Consulting, Peter Shapiro's telecom-industry consultancy.

Barlow Keener is both a telecom attorney and consultant, a former CLEC owner, and an occasional blogger. His office is rumored to be extremely close to Ionary's world headquarters in Newton.


	Information of interest...
.	.Ionary takes a collaborative approach. We find the best collaborators, seeking client satisfaction. We also seek out information from many sources. We work with the information industry, and provide information for both our clients and the pubilc. A checklist for the new Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Telecommunications competition is not dead yet! The 2001-2008 FCC has certainly been discouraging competive startups, but selective opportunities still exist. One of the "classic" approaches to competition is to use Unbundled Network Elements, and in particular the local loop (UNE-L). This can support voice and data services (DSL), and potentially some switched digital video. This isn't the same as UNE Platform, in which the entire local phone line was resold under UNE rates. That was phased out starting in 2004 and what's left are only limited opportunities to enter into "commercial agreements" with incumbent carriers. ionary Consulting and BackUP Telecom Consulting have jointly created a checklist to assist Competitive Local Exchange Carrier clients in getting their facilities-based UNE-L networks up and running quickly. This is especially useful for startups, for DSL providers seeking to add voice service, and for UNE Platform carriers seeking to migrate to UNE Loop operation. This timeline shows a "best case" scenario of the tasks that need to be accomplished before bring up a new switch and initial UNE-L collocation, noting the various dependencies that need to be met along the way. Given the FCC's assault upon both UNE Platform and pure DSL providers, many CLECs have moved in this direction. Ionary and BackUP together provide many of the required services, as noted in the checklist. Some other examples of how Ionary can support clients: ionary has a large spreadsheet model illustrating the financial requirements of a startup CLEC. It focuses on the "smart build" UNE-Loop model, in which the CLEC owns its own switching but depends on leased loops and collocation in order to reach its subscribers. This is our favorite entry method, especially for ISPs seeking to build a complementary CLEC business. We can work with a potential CLEC to evaluate its options and see what it can afford, using over 200 variables to acommodate local conditions as well as the CLEC's business model. CLECs who enter the Digital Subscriber Line market have to face the fact that standard ADSL technology has a limited range, and can therefore only be used by subscribers who are relatively close to the central office. Using Geographic Information System tools and a growing collection of data bases, Fred Goldstein has produced maps and statistics that estimate what share of subscribers in a given area are probably loop-qualified for DSL. Here's an illustrative map of population and central offices west of Boston. Mesh networks are becoming a popular way for Wireless ISPs to build networks. While they save on backhaul costs by using the same antennas (but ideally, separate radios) for both subscriber access and backbone mesh connections, their success is dependent on terrain and other factors. Many early municipal mesh projects have failed. Using a terrain-based modeling tool such as RadioMobile, we can help estimate how a mesh network will behave in a given area. Here is an example of how coverage might be in a small city with an 11-node mesh. Links to some interesting web sites: Telecom Digest, one of the Internet's oldest moderated mailing lists, with archives and related information on its web site. Areacode Info has useful information on area codes and pointers to other interesting sites. Local calling guide, by Ray Chow, shows local calling areas for the USA and Canada. This volunteer effort is more accurate than some costly commercial data bases. Cybertelecom is Bob Cannon's collection of telecom and Internet policy and law resources. I also recommend the associated mailing list, especially if you're a policy wonk. Slashdot, because it's there. If you can get past the youthful exuberance by Linux devotees and gamers, some good tech news shows up on the site. Robotics.net, Nathan Stratton's web site hosting good CLEC resources, including a "CLEC how-to" from the glory days (2000). Some other consultants Ionary's Fred Goldstein has worked with: BackUP Telecom Consulting, Mary Lou Carey's consultancy providing a range of services including AOCN, ASR provisioning, bill auditing. Interisle Consulting Group provides high-end consulting services applying Internet and software technology to the financial industry, public safety, telecommunications, and other industries. Roger Hay and Associates, providing Telecom and electronics management consulting. PDS Consulting, Peter Shapiro's telecom-industry consultancy. Barlow Keener is both a telecom attorney and consultant, a former CLEC owner, and an occasional blogger. His office is rumored to be extremely close to Ionary's world headquarters in Newton.