MasterStream Blog

A fiber finder is a tool or service that allows users to distribute or find information on the location of fiber-optic infrastructure.

Fiber finders are often used by professionals—including providers, agents, and professionals—in the telecom industry to find where a lit building, which is referred to as “on-net,” is located or where the closest near-net infrastructure exists. Beyond the specific location of the fiber, these tools also generate data to offer insight into which carriers have a presence in a specific region, the competitive landscape of the region, and the fiber and bandwidth demands of the local consumers.

This blog includes helpful information for those interested in learning more about the features of a fiber finder and the benefits that can be derived from using one.

When connecting customers to the best service options at their address, the difference between on-net and off-net buildings can be a big one. Service packages and the overall configure price quote (CPQ) process need to know whether any telecom services are on-net at a given location, whether it’s a carrier you represent or a competitor in the local market.

For our purposes in this article, “on-net” refers to a carrier that owns network facilities at a particular location. “Off-net” refers to a solution provider that connects the location to their own network by purchasing the network facility through a supplier relationship.

Many consumers and businesses may not think about on-net versus off-net properties when choosing a location, but the availability of these services can have a big impact on both the services and service package pricing that makes sense for these customers. Here are six things you should know about the differences between on-net and off-net buildings.