Open-Access Network (OAN)

An open-access network (OAN) is a notion that refers to the telecommunications and business.

In telecommunication, the OAN is a network architecture that is layered horizontally.

And in business, it’s a type of business model. Its main particularity is the separation of the network’s physical access from the services’ delivery. So, the network’s manager does not deliver the services to the network. Instead of it, special retail service providers will supply them. So, those limitations to the fixed number of network layers prevent all the parties from the conflict of interests. Wi-Fi access and fiber companies use this model successfully over the years.

The OAN uses two types of models. Despite the type and number of layers, the open-access network continues to operate an “organizational separation” principle. There are the following open-access network types.

• Two-layer model. This type of OAN consists of an operator and a network owner. A variety of retail service providers will supply services to the network.
• Three-layer model. In this model, the company owns the first – physical – layer. Another company will run the second layer, that consists of operations, maintenance, and services’ supplement. The retail service providers will operate the third layer.

Nowadays, government and municipal bodies support OANs. And that’s because of their concept. It enables access for various providers and gives freedom of choice.