The last mile is the final leg of delivering connectivity from a communications provider to a customer. Usually referred to by the telecommunications and cable television industries, it is typically seen as an expensive challenge because "fanning out" wires and cables is a considerable physical undertaking. In countries employing the metric (as opposed to the imperial) measurement system, the phrase "last kilometre" is sometimes used. The last mile of a network to the user being also the first mile from the user to the network, "first mile" is sometimes used.
To solve the problem of providing enhanced services over the last mile, some firms are beginning to mix networks. One example is Fixed Wireless Access, where a wireless network is used instead of wires to connect a stationary terminal to the wireline network.
Various solutions are being developed which are applicable in part for breaking the monopoly over the "last mile" of standard incumbent telecommunications providers: these include WiMAX and BPL (Broadband over Power Line) applications.