Introducing Neutral Access Networks

Open access networks (OANs) have been recently proposed as a mean for bridging digital divide and enhance Internet penetration by enabling a fair competition among Internet service providers on a shared access infrastructure. This paper introduces the concept of neutral access networks (NANs), which are a special class of OANs conceived to grant positive externality to the shared infrastructure. Externality creates a positive feedback loop among users, service providers, and network operators which increases market penetration, motivates the development of new services, and promotes the deployment of new access networks. NANs are presented and discussed in terms of business models, market penetration, usage patterns, external benefits, technical feasibility, and legal issues.