WHO'S WIRING COLORADO?

• Author: LAINSON, SUZANNE

Every conceivable way to deliver telecommunications services is coming to Colorado. We have a variety of needs -- consumer and business, urban and rural -- and a variety of companies ready to meet them.

Telecommunications today focuses on the delivery of voice, video and data services. These services can be delivered over copper lines, through coaxial lines (that is, cable television), through fiber optic networks or through microwave (i.e., wireless).

Copper wiring is available throughout most of the state, courtesy US West. It can handle voice communication, low-speed data transmission, and in some cases, high-speed data transmission. The current delivery of choice for high-speed data transmission over copper lines is DSL, which is relatively inexpensive but requires being within a few miles of a telco switch. Thus, it is less likely to be offered in low-density areas.

Coaxial cable lines deliver cable television (CATV). They work well delivering one-way, high-speed data, namely TV programming. Some cable companies also use these lines to deliver Internet service, although customers must use regular phone lines for outgoing communication. In order to offer high-speed service in both directions, cable companies are upgrading their networks by adding capacity through fiber optic lines. Once these networks are in place -- which is happening as we write -- cable companies are likely to position themselves as full-service telecommunication providers.

Fiber optic networks are attractive because they can carry much more information than copper lines. But setting up a fiber optic network is expensive, so most companies only want to provide service in high-usage areas. To ensure that the entire state is adequately served, state government has actively encouraged public/private partnerships. Case in point: The Colorado Department of Transportation's agreement with Omaha-based MFS Network Technologies to run fiber optic lines along I-25, I-70, I-470, and in several other areas of the state. Utility groups (see sidebar) have been responsible for regional networks in the north central, southwest and southeast parts of the state.

Wireless is considered an attractive option in areas where it is either prohibitively expensive to lay fiber optic lines, or where people want mobile communication services. Wireless communication comes in two varieties: fixed wireless means sending signals to transmitters in permanent locations, such as buildings or satellite...