May 2001 1

eCorridors Program

Goal Level the playing field for disadvantaged

communities in access to the most advanced next generation communications and internet services

May 2001 2

Why is it Needed?

The enabling technologies for this critical infrastructure are designed to maximize distribution of information and economies of scope in new economy production

current and next generation internet protocol advanced optical systems high bandwidth wireless communications

May 2001 3

Why are such powerful technologies with their economy driving effects not widely deployed?

The disruptive technologies are well understood by the established communications industry to threaten - at best, their profitability - at worst, their existence.

IResearch and Development

IVCommodity

IILarge ScalePrototype

IIICommercialization

NSFnet/VERnet

Internet

IP

BroadbandSwitching

Wireless

Next Gen IP

Fiber to Home

DmWDMNext Generation Internet

A New IndustryA New Competitive Space

1990’s

DoD R&D,Universities,

&Private Sector

Private:Low Risk, high/early ROI

&Public:High Risk, low/delayed ROI

Figure 1: The Opportunity

May 2001 5

eCorridors Program

The Opportunity: The dominant information and communications companies in 20 years will have emerged out of regions that have had a competitive advantage in access to leading edge network infrastructure.

May 2001 6

eCorridors Program

Objectives: Stage 1 Program Will Attack the Fundamental Obstacles and

Barriers to Entry for Access to Low Cost, Essential Advanced Network Services

Access to Next Generation Internet Gateways Inter-community Next Generation Optical Links Inter-regional Optical Backbone Links to Tier 1

Network Access Points

May 2001 7

eCorridors Program

Platform: Stage 1 Program Private sector driven: Non-profit? Catalyst: Private sector based development of

Inter-regional and Inter-community Infrastructure Only

Engage Only Counties/Cities Where Key Players Invite and Support

Open Access at Cost to Any Community Internet, Information or Application Provider

May 2001 8

Political Premise

The Program must avoid the established telecommunications market structure, market rules, and market labels

Technical: optical ethernet over fiber, not switching technologies or Sonet

Services: next generation internet, not cable TV or telephone services

Labels: next generation ISP’s, not ILEC’s or CLEC’s

May 2001 9

Strategies

Strategy #1 Leverage leading edge technology with the

potential to dramatically alter the cost of next generation network access

(1) Latest Generation Fiber Optics (2) Coarse/Dense Mode Wave Division Multiplexing

VT/CIT NIH vBNS USDA AbileneOCx OCx OCx OCx

Traditional Approach

Fixed bandwidth, daisy chained

Next Generation Internet ExchangeBio-Tech Research NetworkCommercial Services Bundle Network

T/CIT NIH vBNS USDA Abilene

New Approach Using WDM or DMWDM

Channels multiply bandwidthAdd flexibility; security

May 2001 11

Strategies

Strategy #2 Inter-community Next Generation Optical

Links

Traditional Alternative: e58 Corridor?

Community Access Nodes

North South Fiber Route Interconnect Points

Research Node / Carrier Hotel

CableLanding

Multi-Use Fiber

Access Research Networks

E-58 Economic Development

Commercial Lease / IRU

Requirements for Advanced Communications Infrastructure Development• Fiber along route 58 east to west with access nodes to north-south fiber.• Ease permitting, right of way, regulatory obstacles.• Public-private partnership.• Must leverage community infrastructure projects.• Potential to develop carrier hotel and cable landing sites.

Emerging Industry Alternative: Geodesic Network Mesh

County ZCounty X County Y

May 2001 14

Strategies

Strategy #2 Inter-community Next Generation Optical Links

High Reliability– Design goal of no intermediate active elements

– High redundancy via ring and mesh topologies

– Variable deployment techniques in redundant paths

– Fast recovery plans and pre-positioned materials for interrupted paths

High Performance Cheap, Cheap, Cheap

May 2001 15

Strategies

Strategy #2 Inter-community Next Generation Optical Links

High Reliability High Performance

– High capacity fiber for maximum aggregate throughput

– High performance fiber for maximum distance transmission

– High performance interconnect components for inter-regional configurations

Cheap, Cheap, Cheap

May 2001 16

Strategies

Strategy #2 Inter-community Next Generation Optical Links

High Reliability High Performance Cheap, Cheap, Cheap:

– Technology

– Right-of-Ways

– Labor

– Materials Procurement Strategies

– Capital

May 2001 17

Strategies

Strategy #2 Inter-community Next Generation Optical

Links Cheap, Cheap, Cheap:

– Right-of-Ways• Path of Least Resistance

May 2001 18

Strategies Right-of-Way Candidates

Established utility lines Including power lines, pipelines (water, gas) Drain systems

Railroads, abandoned rail lines Waterways (e. g. Cxxx technology) Public lands, trails Roads under control of counties/cities

Secondary roads, light duty roads

Right-of-way strategy: local commitment req’t

May 2001 19

Strategies

Strategy #3: Light the fiber: Access to Next Generation Internet

Gateways Open Access Gigabit Ethernet Gateway in

Each Participating Community Array of Peering Agreements with Commodity

and Next Generation Internet Providers at Tier 1 Network Access Points

May 2001 20

Strategies

Strategy #4 Inter-regional Optical Backbone Links to

Tier 1 Network Access Points Support economically feasible projects that

result in strategic access points Designed externality of inter-community

infrastructure

May 2001 21

Potential Funding Sources

Federal, State & Private Grants Loan Programs State & Local Programs Cost Recoveries IRU’s: Condominium model

May 2001 22

Incubator

Strategies (Stage 2 Program) Create 2d Independent Entity: An

Incubator “Club” to Encourage New For-profit Businesses

Exploit Alternative Local Access Technologies, Next Generation Applications, & New Business Process Models

May 2001 23

Incubator

Non-profit/For-profit/LLP Intra-community, next generation applications &

new business process model focus Participant Investors: 1st option on “spin-outs” &

“spin-offs” Incentives to attract intellectual capital &

innovations

Wires, Radio Waves

Electronic Network Equipment

Internet Protocols

Web Browsers, Spreadsheets, E-mail Clients

Computer Desktop

PHYSICAL

DATA LINK

NETWORK

TRANSPORT

SESSION

PRESENTATION

APPLICATION

Critical Elements: The Next Generation Network

“Middleware”

HDTV over IP

ISO

Open S

ystems C

omm

unication Model

MSAP Model

ASP SiteVideo Archive

Business Replication Model

Hot Site

Community Portal eLearning

Mobile IP

IP Emergency Response e911

VA.edu SWAT Apprenticeship

Directory Enabled Personal Network

Data Warehouse eMall & eGov

IP Version 6

Immediate Deployment Infrastructure Model

End-to-End Apps Support

Condominium Model

Web Portal Quick Deployment Generator

Gigabit Ethernet

Business Practices

Practitioner Training: Security Certification

Next Generation Wireless

IP@Optical Layer; DWDM; “wavelength” multiplexing;

Conduit System Poles Existing Pipelines and others

Virtual Private Networks

Technology EducationPeople

“Long Haul” Fiber Community & “First Mile” Infrastructure; FTTH

Environment

Standards Based Directory Services

Max. leverage: passive optical,all optical, NG IP Private Networks

MSAP Service Model Description

* ASP – Application Service Provider * ISP – Internet Service Provider

MSAP

VirginiaLink

Broadband ASP*

Internet2 / NGI

Broadband ASP*

Commercial ISP*

Corp Campus / Office Park

Health Care Facility

Commercial / Industrial Site

Multifamily Residential

Community Broadband Network

Home Home Home Business

Home BusinessHome Home

Local ILEC or CLEC

Neighborhood Hybrids