What is an open access network – and why it’s the future of digital connectivity
As demand for faster, more reliable digital infrastructure grows, municipalities, service providers and network operators are rethinking how broadband networks are built and managed. One model is gaining strong momentum worldwide: the open access network.
But what exactly does “open access” mean, and why is it considered the future of digital connectivity?
Per Schelin
Chief Marketing & Product Officer at VX Fiber
Summary
Defining the open access network model
An open access network is a fibre infrastructure that is shared among multiple service providers, creating a competitive marketplace for end-users. Instead of a single operator owning both the infrastructure and the services delivered over it, the open access model separates these two layers.
This ensures that:
- Infrastructure owners can focus on building and maintaining high-quality networks.
- Service providers can innovate and compete on equal terms.
- End-users enjoy more choice, better services, and fairer prices.
As Johan Moreau, Chief Information Officer at VX Fiber, explains:
“The open access model levels the playing field. It fosters innovation among service providers while ensuring that the underlying infrastructure remains future-proof and available to everyone. By leveraging a software-driven active model, switching service providers is completed within seconds.
That’s what makes it such a sustainable solution.”
Open access vs. traditional fibre: quick comparison
- Ownership & roles: Open access separates infrastructure and services; traditional models bundle them.
- Market dynamics: Open access enables multi-ISP competition on one network; traditional often limits choice.
- Time-to-market: ISPs launch faster on shared infrastructure; traditional requires new builds.
- Costs: Shared capex/opex and less duplication; traditional can duplicate assets and effort.
- Future-proofing: Neutral, interoperable, API-driven; traditional can lead to vendor lock-in.
Benefits for communities and businesses
Open access networks provide far-reaching advantages:
- For municipalities: attract investment, create digital inclusion, and enable smart city applications.
- For service providers: lower barriers to entry and the ability to scale faster.
- For citizens and businesses: affordable, reliable connectivity and freedom to choose between multiple providers.
In short, the model maximises value across the ecosystem.
Where open access delivers the most value
- Municipal & utility networks: accelerate digital inclusion and attract providers via wholesale access.
- Underserved & rural builds: multi-ISP access lifts penetration and de-risks demand, turning marginal areas into investable projects.
- 5G backhaul & edge: neutral fibre supports multi-operator backhaul and low-latency services.
- Enterprise & smart city: open, SLA-backed connectivity for IoT, CCTV, traffic systems, and public Wi-Fi.
Why the open access network model is the future
The digital economy thrives on openness and choice. By separating infrastructure from services, the open access network becomes a platform for continuous innovation. This is crucial as data needs grow and as society becomes more dependent on high-capacity broadband for everything from remote work to IoT and e-health.
The importance of open access networks is also recognised by the European Commission, which highlights their role in driving digital inclusion and innovation across Europe.
“We see open access networks as a catalyst for growth,” adds Moreau. “They empower communities to control their digital future rather than being locked into the strategies of a single provider.”
Beyond consumer broadband, open access underpins enterprise connectivity, 5G backhaul, edge computing and smart city use cases. By keeping infrastructure neutral and programmable, cities can add new services—without vendor lock-in – while service providers compete on experience, performance and value.
Learn more about fiber network innovation
The open access network is just one part of the future of digital connectivity. To fully unlock its potential, organisations also need efficient fiber network management, robust network lifecycle management, and advanced tools such as fiber network management software and network automation software. These solutions ensure networks are not only open and accessible, but also secure, scalable and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
To maximise outcomes, combine open access with network analytics for build prioritisation, digital twin for planning, and network monitoring solutions for transparent SLA reporting across all providers.
VX Fiber: A trusted partner in open access networks
At VX Fiber, we specialise in designing, building and operating open access fibre networks. With years of experience across Europe and Africa, we help municipalities, utilities and private investors unlock the full potential of digital infrastructure.
Our open-access-first platform combines OSS/BSS integration, automation and zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), SLA monitoring and service orchestration. This delivers neutrality by design, rapid provider onboarding, and full service transparency across all ISPs – exposed via APIs so partners can launch, manage and assure offers consistently across the footprint.
We pair technology with a repeatable operating model and governance framework: standardised onboarding and certification for providers, a shared service catalogue, clear wholesale SLAs, and proactive assurance. Stakeholders get real-time dashboards and reporting on the metrics that matter – order-to-activate time, availability, MTTR, SLA compliance, take-up per footprint, churn/NPS and cost-to-serve.
The result is a neutral marketplace that scales: communities gain digital inclusion and faster roll-outs with lower total cost, service providers expand without duplicating infrastructure, and end-users benefit from genuine choice and performance.
Learn how we implement neutrality, SLAs and automation at scale in VX Fiber’s open access model.
Key takeaways
- An open access network separates infrastructure from services, creating a neutral, multi-ISP marketplace with real choice for end-users.
- Delivers business outcomes: faster rollout, lower total cost, and stronger digital inclusion for municipalities, ISPs, and enterprises.
- Operate with neutrality, clear SLAs, and robust OSS/BSS integration; use automation and zero-touch provisioning to cut OPEX and activation times.
- Track KPIs: service diversity, order-to-activate time, availability/MTTR, SLA compliance, churn/NPS, take-up per footprint, and cost-to-serve.
- Future-proof via open APIs and interoperability – supporting smart city services, IoT, enterprise connectivity, and 5G backhaul.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about open access networks
An open access network is a fibre infrastructure that allows multiple service providers to deliver services over the same physical network. This creates competition, choice, and innovation for end-users.
Municipalities benefit from open access networks by attracting investment, ensuring digital inclusion, and enabling smart city services. The model helps local communities control their digital future.
In traditional fibre networks, one operator owns both the infrastructure and the services. In an open access network, the infrastructure is separated from the services, allowing multiple providers to compete on equal terms.
VX Fiber has years of international experience in designing, building and operating open access fibre networks. We provide not only the infrastructure, but also the expertise, platform and business model needed for long-term success.
Yes. By being open to multiple providers and service types, an open access network can adapt to new technologies and user demands. This makes it a sustainable model for long-term digital growth.
Providers complete a standard onboarding process: commercial agreement, technical interconnect, service catalogue alignment and sandbox testing. Once certified, they can launch offers across the footprint with the same APIs, SLAs and processes as other providers.
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