Survey on Learning Curves and Economies of Scale for FTTH Components

This survey is now closed. Please see the author's resume or thesis entitled Networking Technology Adoption: System Dynamics Modeling of Fiber-to-the-Home for additional information. The thumbnails of the thesis aren't up yet, but an electronic copy can be purchased from the MIT libraries.

This survey is designed specifically to characterize the cost structure of FTTH triplexers and diplexers for use in a system dynamics model studying the interaction of industry, the consumer, and regulation in adoption of fiber-to-the-home.

Your cooperation is vital to the success of this study! Please answer the following questions as they apply to you. If you do not know the answer to a question, please give your best estimate. Answering of the questions is voluntary. You are not obligated to answer any question. The survey should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Please be candid and honest in your responses. We understand that you may have concerns about confidentiality. The survey is anonymous and several measures will be taken to ensure that your responses will remain confidential. Only the researchers named at the end of the survey will have access to the information requested in this survey. All analyses of the survey data will be presented in the form of aggregated statistics. No individuals or individual programs will be identified in the analysis or reporting of the responses. We understand that the success of any research depends upon the quality of the information on which it is based, and we take seriously our responsibility to ensure that any information you entrust to us will be protected.

What is the name of your company/organization?
What is the average cost of a triplexer for the provision of FTTH service? $
What is the average cost of a diplexer for the provision of FTTH service? $
How is price for triplexers and diplexers set?

For example fixed price regardless of cost, constant markup from cost, cost times 1.5, etc. Please be as detailed as possible.

Please answer the following questions for triplexers. If you do not manufacture triplexers, please check the following box and skip to the section on diplexers.

What percentage of current costs are:

fixed? %

variable? %

How does fixed cost change with the yearly volume of triplexers produced (economies of scale)? Please give your best estimate of the percent change in fixed cost as your yearly production output doubles. %
Please estimate your current yearly production volume of triplexers in units per year.
How does variable cost change with the total number of triplexers produced (learning or experience)? Please give your best estimate of the percent change in variable cost when experience in producing the product doubles. %
Please estimate your current cumulative production volume of triplexers. This is the total number of triplexers you have produced since production of the product line started.

Please answer the following questions for diplexers. If you do not manufacture diplexers, please check the following box and skip to the end of the survey and click on the "submit" button.

Please estimate your current yearly production volume of diplexers in units per year.
Please estimate your current cumulative production volume of diplexers. This is the total number of diplexers you have produced since production of the product line started.

If your cost structure for diplexers is identical to that of triplexers, please check the following box and skip to the end of the survey and click on the "submit" button.

What percentage of current costs are:

fixed? %

variable? %

How does fixed cost change with the yearly volume of diplexers produced (economies of scale)? Please give your best estimate of the percent change in fixed cost as your yearly production output doubles. %
How does variable cost change with the total number of diplexers produced (learning or experience)? Please give your best estimate of the percent change in variable cost when experience in producing the product doubles. %

If you have questions about this survey, the objectives of this research, or would like a copy of the results, please contact:

Angie Kelic
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave, Room N42-140U
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: (617)253-1436
Fax: (617)258-6176
Email: sly at mit dot edu

Thank you for your time!!