"Public Fiber Networks" (PFN), a fundamental re-structuring of the telecommunications architecture in the United States. PFN, working with telecom infrastructure owners (telephone companies, cable companies, etc.) to form partnerships with public agencies-

to help re-structure the entire nation with an Ethernet fiber loop communications network second to none. PFN concepts can be applied county by county, parish by parish, resulting in a nation-wide redundant loop fiber backbone network. The PFN concepts focus on the design and implementation of these county loops.

The telecommunications architecture in the U.S. is outdated. Advanced fiber networks operating in other countries such as India and even China are opening global markets. Our under-capacity, bottlenecked current system is holding back innovation as we continue to transition from a national manufacturing to a global service based economy.

Public Fiber Network key features:

• Each county fiber loop attaches to a state fiber loop which attaches to a national fiber loop.
  
• Each fiber is driven with multiple light sources to increase capacity (DWDM).
  
• A Point Of Presence (POP) will be installed at principle public locations (city hall, courthouse, police station, schools).
  
• Each POP will have two main router systems, one for commercial data, one for public agency data.
  
• The public data and commercial data will be optically isolated within the fiber network.
  
• The commercial data access to the PFN shall be open to any content provider.
  
• The PFN does not provide for "fiber to the home."
• The capacity of each PFN shall be such that it never delays data flow.
• Each PFN is bi-directional such that a single break in the fiber loop path does not stop the data flow.
  

PFN Benefits:

• PFN structure will help the traditional telecom companies transition to full IP/Ethernet networks.
  
• PFN in place allows the traditional telecom companies to extend the life of their local network infrastructure.
  
• PFN improves the economic viability of every company within reach.
  
• PFN improves the affect of local healthcare, education, homeland security, and government.
  
• PFN partners, both public and private, see their investment highly leveraged.
• PFN will put the U.S. back on track to stay a leader in the world economy.

To illustrate the structure of a PFN, this website contains a complete proposal for a Jefferson County (Washington state) PFN. Everything is covered including sample public documents to form a public agency to operate the county wide PFN. Even the public private partnering documents are covered in some detail. Although other counties and parishes will find their specific way to create their own PFN, each will follow the key features guidelines stated above.

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