Community-based fibre projects are a real alternative to the traditional wireless models - except delivering Gbit performance in the local loop is a reality, not a dream.

Mixing interesting new technologies, like SharedBand, with "stupid" technology (in the Isenberg sense), like that from Allied Telesyn, can make for a "boring" but affordable community network, capable of withstanding any competition.

One of the real benefits of SharedBand is that its the judo of broadband - it uses the weight of the big carriers against them. No matter what they come along with, SharedBand will happily bond it together and share it out.

Allied Telesyn, on the other hand, seem to have taken to heart Isenberg's stupid network concept. At a time when ATM is finally showing its age, and the MetroEthernet guys are trying to push good ol' Ethernet into an ATM pot, Allied Telesyn seem to have recognised the beauty of Ethernet's simplicity. When they want to build bigger networks, they just put a brighter laser in it - no more, no less.

Anyone can build a next generation network with SharedBand and Allied Telesyn.