The RISQ Model
Further Information
The technical/economic model developed by RISQ is founded on ownership of its own fibre-optic network. This approach allows the organization to operate without restrictions on the network’s uses, because it does not bill members for usage but rather for the bandwidth they reserve.
RISQ is known for the efficiency and reliability of this system, and operates as a user-managed cooperative. Members derive very significant benefits from joint ownership of their dark-fibre network.
A flexible network
RISQ has complete freedom to implement any architecture, transport technology or networking equipment on its network. It can adopt new technologies at its own pace, without relying on decisions taken elsewhere. There are no externally imposed limits on usage, traffic volumes or bandwidth.
This flexibility is crucial to a research and education environment in which innovation must be able to flourish in spite of limited financial means; the network’s users create added value by generating new applications and uses. This stands in contrast to the model used by private telecommunications carriers, who bill their clients for a limited range of provider-defined services.
A durable network
A network must be able to handle growing traffic. Fibre-optic technology can already handle raw transfer speeds on the order of one terabit per second – a capacity much greater than today’s users require and today’s routers can handle; there remains much room for growth.
Moreover, the optical fibres currently being manufactured have an expected useful life of roughly twenty years. Throughout that lifespan, optical routing and transmission technologies will continue to evolve in ways that will vastly expand the network’s capacity and capabilities.
A beneficial network
Unlike private carriers, RISQ does not bill its members for usage, bursts or duration. Its flat fees are calculated for a fixed amount of bandwidth, regardless of usage levels. This model provides a strong incentive to use the network and its innovative resources to their fullest capacity.
Since the maintenance cost for fibre-optic lines is low and amortized over many years, we can focus expenditures where they are needed most: on the ever more powerful routing equipment that makes it possible to increase the network’s capacity. And that is definitely not the case for a leased commercial line.