Study proves that communities with Open Access Networks grow faster than those without

Communities with open access networks enjoy a higher rate of creation of new businesses in key sectors than other communities.

This is the key finding of a study presented by Caisse des Depot et Consignations in a meeting of AVICCA in Paris on March 31^st.

I didn’t attend and I thoroughly regret – but the presentations are here.

Other findings of the study are that the existence of open access networks helps the creation of new qualified jobs in the technology sector.

In France where more than 160 open access networks have been deployed since 2006, the field of observation is large enough that the findings of the survey can be considered as a definitive proof that community-sponsored NGN’s are a key infrastructure.

The French networks range from very small (with a few users connected to a wifi antenna) to very large, like Semafor77 in Seine-et-Marne with more than 1100km of fibre and 55 wimax towers. They all contribute to the economic development of their communities and help to maintain or create jobs.