Posts about ISP in a box

Running one’s own network was once seen as a sign of success and influence in the telecoms market, but recently, businesses have started to reconsider the viability of long-term Internet Service Provision. The ever increasing complexity of operating a network, as well the resources required to maintain it, are presenting a challenging question to ISPs both nationally and globally.

Since the dawn of the Internet revolution, telecoms providers have rushed to own a piece of the pie by running their own network assets. For the time, this was the right decision but as technology has developed, the responsibilities and risks of owning a network have started to outweigh the benefits.

ISPs are currently in the midst of a period of self-reflection, considering whether owning their own network is a wise investment. Providers are considering whether owning their own network is proving to be cost effective, whilst resellers, that may have more flexibility in their operations, have to consider the sacrifices required in order to take advantage of the simplicity that a virtual ISP model provides.

When the concept of network ownership was born in the mid noughties it was seen as yet another step towards developing and de-regulating the telecoms market for emergent Service Providers.