Introducing Private Fibre Networks
In recent months, Tenco has taken the natural step to expand our services into the private fibre network space. Much like private utility networks in the electricity, water and gas industries, fibre networks allow property owners to maintain control of their infrastructure -- while providing market leading services to their tenants. Private fibre networks offer additional benefits over traditional arrangements in that their internet-based services are dynamic, expand to adopt new technology and reduce complexity during construction.
The rapidly developing market for private fibre solutions is largely being driven by demand in the retirement and residential sectors, particularly the build-to-rent category.
What is a Private Fibre Network?
A private fibre network takes a single feed from the local network provider and splits fibre strands out to service each tenancy, common area and shared infrastructure. Importantly, a private fibre network can support additional services like TV (Freeview and Sky), CCTV and building management systems. An ONT and router is provided to each tenant -- and they access the internet much like they would in any other environment with security built in by default.
Passive Optical Networks
There are a variety of different solutions available. Depending on the needs of the property and consumers within the network, different technologies can be deployed. These include both active and passive optical networks. In New Zealand, we are fortunate to have fibre optic infrastructure throughout most of the country. The most common private fibre network solutions in New Zealand are the GPON (gigabit passive optical network), the EPON (ethernet passive optical network) and the POL (passive optical LAN).
Developer Benefits
Installing a private fibre network can often reduce capital costs and reliance on third-party providers, free up space in risers and telco rooms -- and provide a scalable long-term solution for long-term owners. Depending on the situation, property developers can benefit from private fibre networks in the following ways:
Easy to install. Private fibre can often be installed by the development’s electrical contractor.
Control of scheduling. Because your project team can install the fibre network, there is limited reliance on national infrastructure providers to fit your project into their schedule.
Less cabling. Private fibre networks eliminate the need for copper cabling, but also reduce the total amount of cabling. This means less weight and space requirements.
Ability to scale. If a tenancy is split or apartments are added, new connections can be fed directly from the existing infrastructure rather than laying new cables back to the local network
Smaller telco rooms. Deploying GPON or POL solutions means much smaller telco rooms are required. In the case of a hotel or apartment development, this can mean converting space set aside for infrastructure into revenue generating area.
Shared infrastructure. In new residential development projects, private fibre infrastructure is already being installed to support CCTV, BMS and TV (Freeview or Sky) services. Adding the ability to supply internet services becomes a logical next step in many cases.
Contact Tenco to learn how your project could benefit from the installation of a private fibre network.
Long-term Benefits
Along with ensuring a project is delivered on schedule, private fibre networks provide benefits over traditional networks to long-term property owners and tenants.
Dedicated Support. Private networks often are supported by service companies who are knowledgeable about the specific network and have staff on-hand to solve technical or hardware issues.
Competitively Priced. Prices delivered to tenants are tested against market rates and competitive.
High speed, Unlimited Data. Consumers within a GPON or a POL often receive higher speeds and fewer obstructions.
Who Should Consider a Private Fibre Network?
This reasonably new product offering in New Zealand is picking up traction. Tenco are seeing many of our clients installing private fibre as the benefits are easy to quantify. Property owners within the build-to-rent apartment and retirement village space see the clearest benefits. We are also seeing traditional apartment developments and residential townhouse blocks deploying private fibre. In a commercial setting, shopping centres and town centre type developments can present opportunities due to the fibre or copper infrastructure that already needs to be installed to support building services. Within these larger developments, other options become available like private 5G, common area connectivity and seamless connection between spaces.
Tenco Services
Tenco can source and assist with the management of your private fibre network. Tenco are utility billing experts across electricity, water, gas and fibre.
Get in touch discuss if your property can benefit from a private fibre network or read more here
