Frequently Asked Questions

Is it truly possible to own a private optical (fiber) network?

Yes. Think of fiber as an asset or as ‘real estate’; it can be bought, sold, leased, owned or shared, just like any other kind of property. In 2006, private networks accounted for 16% of all networks in operation. [1]

What kind of organizations utilize private network solutions?

Private networks are being deployed by both the public and private sectors and include small, medium and large enterprises. Municipalities, schools, state and federal agencies as well as a diversified group of private businesses use private networks.

Are private networks feasible for small or medium size companies?

Yes. Any organization that requires secure, robust and resilient connectivity, or has growing bandwidth requirements, is a candidate for a privately owned network. Businesses with as few as 40 employees, or that utilize extensive web, storage, or e-commerce applications can benefit from a private network.

Why are enterprise organizations moving towards privately owned networks?

There are several drivers behind the migration to privately owned networks including enhanced disaster recovery capabilities, data center connectivity, increased data storage requirements or regulatory compliance. Additionally, many clients express a desire to own and control the essential infrastructure needed in today’s global, information based economy.

Who manages and operates these networks?

Network operations can be performed by the owner (client) or may be outsourced to a 3rd party, and is largely dependent upon the in-house expertise of the client. In many cases, clients outsource Layer 2 network management (transport) to Fiberutilities Group, while retaining responsibility for Layer 3 (applications and services) internally.

[1] International Data Group, 2006