Neutral Host Network: The Future of Shared Connectivity
What is a Neutral Host Network?
Ever wonder why some areas have only one internet provider while others have more choice?
That’s where a neutral host network comes in. It’s a broadband network built to be open to multiple service providers. Think of it like a highway that anyone can drive on instead of private access roads.
The network owner focuses on building and delivering the infrastructure. Providers focus on providing their services on top of that shared infrastructure. Communities get choice, competition, and coverage.
Why Communities and Providers Care
- Communities want affordable, reliable broadband.
- Providers want to expand without crushing infrastructure costs.
- Residents and businesses want options—not just one ISP.
A neutral host network checks all three boxes. It’s built for scale, flexibility, and shared use. That’s why more local governments, utilities, and private partners are looking at this model.
The Problems Neutral Host Networks Solve
- High build costs – fiber and wireless deployments are capital intensive.
- Limited competition – one provider often dominates a market.
- Slow expansion – small ISPs struggle to break in.
- Funding pressure – federal and state programs demand sustainable solutions.
Neutral host networks help overcome each of these.
How Neutral Host Networks Work in Practice
Here’s the simple version:
- One network, many tenants
- A neutral host (city, utility, or private company) builds, maintains, and operates the infrastructure.
- Multiple service providers lease capacity and compete to serve end users.
It’s not theory—it’s already happening in the U.S. and abroad.
Benefits for Providers, Communities, and End Users
For providers:
- Lower entry costs
- Faster time to market
- No need to duplicate infrastructure
For communities:
- Long-term ownership of critical infrastructure
- More providers = competition drives innovation in products and services
- Attracts businesses and talent
For end users:
- More choice
- Better prices
- Improved service quality
Funding and Sustainability: Making it Real
Federal programs like BEAD, ARPA, and CPF are pouring billions into broadband. But money alone doesn’t solve sustainability.
Here’s what makes a neutral host network last:
- Open access policies that attract providers
- Scalable platforms to manage services and billing
- Community buy-in to keep adoption high
Without these, even funded projects risk stalling.
Stories from the Field
When I worked with state broadband offices, one pattern stood out: Projects controlled by a single provider often ran into roadblocks—slower builds, higher costs, and limited competition. But when communities adopted open access or neutral host models, progress accelerated.
Take Kitsap Public Utility District in Washington State.
Operating a fully open-access fiber network since 2016 and powered by COS Systems, Kitsap PUD has become a leading example of how neutral host models can drive digital equity in rural and underserved areas.
- 400+ miles of fiber deployed
- 6,000+ premises passed and growing
- Multiple ISPs on the network, offering true customer choice
- Take rates exceeding 40% in some areas, far above national averages for new fiber builds
By leveraging COS Business Engine to automate service provisioning, manage multi-ISP workflows, and streamline customer support through the customer portal, Kitsap PUD reduced operational complexity and enabled faster onboarding of ISPs. The result? Competitive pressure that improved service offerings and reduced costs for residents—without duplicating infrastructure.
This isn’t a theoretical model—it’s a functioning, scalable, and sustainable network that’s helping close the digital divide one community at a time.
That’s the power of the neutral host model in action.
What to Watch for Next
The neutral host network isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming the backbone of digital equity. Expect to see:
- More public-private partnerships
- More municipal, utility, and public sector network infrastructure ownership
- Platforms that simplify multi-provider network management
The future isn’t about one provider owning the road. It’s about building the road together—and letting everyone drive on it.
— Adam Puckett, VP Sales Americas @ COS Systems
Do you want to learn more or to explore how COS Systems can help you launch or optimize a neutral host fiber network?
