There are many different types of GIS platforms. 

Choosing the right one for your organization depends on a variety of factors -- your specific needs, platform usability, costs, etc.

Fiber network management and GIS solutions go hand-in-hand. 

When it comes to creating fiber maps, GIS platforms are crucial for several reasons. Both network developers and operators benefit tremendously from being able to build high-quality visual representations of their fiber networks.

Managing a municipal fiber network well requires powerful tools, real-time information, and sophisticated reporting capabilities. Without these elements, it can be very hard to run a profitable network that serves residents and businesses better than private ISPs can.

Before deploying a municipal fiber network, there are many factors that city leaders must consider. Below are some of the biggest questions that need to be tackled:

• What are the community’s overarching goals?
• How would the network be funded?
• What are the key success factors?
• What expertise and resources are needed?
• How would the network be deployed?

By answering these questions, communities put themselves in a good position to be successful over the long term.

In the U.S., municipal networks face considerable resistance on a number of fronts.

There are several reasons why they haven’t been deployed more widely:

• Challenging economics
• Market dynamics
• Government regulation

As more small to mid-sized communities explore alternative high-speed internet solutions for their residents, the debate around municipal networks will only increase in intensity.