Open Access Fiber Network Software: The Missing Piece to Scale Broadband
Open Access Fiber Network Software: The Missing Piece to Scale Broadband
Why is it so hard to make open access networks run smoothly? Why do so many cities love the idea of shared fiber but get stuck in the execution? Why are we still relying on spreadsheets to manage complex, multi-ISP and Neutral Host operations? If you’re working in broadband planning, deployment, or operations, these questions probably hit close to home. And here’s the short answer: you need the right software.
P.S. If you missed it, go back and read Article 3 The Coming Consolidation Wave
The Big Vision: What Open Access Aims to Solve
We all know the promise: lower costs for consumers, more choice of service providers, efficient use of infrastructure, faster rollouts thanks to public-private partnerships. The open access model is ideal for community-driven broadband. One network, many providers. Everyone wins. Except when the operations get messy.
Why Software Matters More Than Ever
Here’s the reality on the ground. You can have the best fiber in the world, the most forward-thinking city council, a stack of funding ready to go. But if your operations aren’t streamlined, your network will stall before it scales. Spreadsheets, phone calls, and disconnected systems won’t cut it. You need an open access fiber network software that handles ISPs, end customers, billing, and service changes; automates the flow from interest to install; gives everyone—from providers to city staff—clear, real-time visibility; and scales across Neutral Host and multi-tenant business models. Without this, open access turns into open chaos.
What Makes a Great Open Access Fiber Network Software for Neutral Host Operators
Not all platforms are built for this model. Some are retrofitted from traditional ISP stacks. Others are too lightweight. Here’s what truly works:
- Designed for open access and Neutral Host models from day one. If you’re forcing wholesale logic into a vertically integrated system, you’re going to have a bad time.
- ISP-neutral service marketplaces. Let end-users shop for service like they do on Amazon. Simple, transparent, competitive.
- End-to-end automation and orchestration. From sign-up to provisioning to billing—no swivel-chair operations.
- Multi-stakeholder dashboards. Cities, network operators, and ISPs all see what they need—without stepping on each other’s toes.
- Multi-tenancy for investors and wholesale operators. Operate multiple ISPs or brands in one system while keeping billing, data, and reporting cleanly separated.
- Demand aggregation tools. Don’t guess where to build—let the data guide you. Turn interest into action.
How COS Systems Powers 200+ Networks Globally
At COS Systems, we’ve been doing this a while. Since Umeå, Sweden launched its community fiber network in 1994, we’ve helped shape what scalable, open access looks like in practice.
COS Business Engine: Our core platform
Built for open access and Neutral Host operators. Supports multiple business models—municipal, co-op, private, hybrid. Fully cloud-based, no messy installs. Modular, so you can scale as you grow. Whether you’re a city running the network or an investor consolidating ISPs, COS handles customer acquisition, service selection, provisioning and orchestration, billing, ticketing, API integrations with OSS/BSS, and reporting for grant compliance.
Plan Builds Where Demand—and ROI—Are Strongest
We pioneered the “fiberhood” model to identify demand before construction. It’s now used across hundreds of projects globally. Let residents raise their hands. Prioritize builds where the need (and ROI) is clear.
Lessons From the Field: What Works, What Crashes
What works: start with software, not afterthoughts. Train all stakeholders—ISPs, city staff, helpdesk. Centralize everything in one portal. Use the platform to tell your story—take rates, demand maps, service stats.
What crashes: building the network before understanding operations. ISPs without clear onboarding plans. Manual provisioning plus human error. Not budgeting for the right tech stack.
Software isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s core infrastructure—just like the fiber in the ground.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Open Access and Neutral Host is Automated
This is the inflection point. We’re seeing governments backing open access, ISPs warming to shared infrastructure, and communities demanding more choice. The model is maturing. But if we want to scale, it can’t rely on heroics or handholding. Automation and orchestration are key. Open access fiber network software isn’t just about managing services. It’s about unlocking real, sustainable competition—and making it easy for everyone involved.
One Final Thought
At COS, we’ve worked with hundreds of networks across the globe. What separates the thriving ones from those that stall? They treat software like the backbone of the operation—not an add-on. If you’re building or managing an open access fiber network—whether in a small town, a Neutral Host model, or a multi-county region—you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We’ve built the tools. We’ve seen what works. Let’s talk.
— Isak Finér, Chief Revenue Officer @ COS Systems
