The clustering of galaxies is well characterized by fractal properties , with the presence of an eventual cross-over to homogeneity still a matter of considerable debate .
In this letter we discuss the cosmological implications of a fractal distribution of matter , with a possible cross-over to homogeneity at an undetermined scale R _ { homo } .
Contrary to what is generally assumed , we show that , even when R _ { homo } \rightarrow \infty , this possibility can be treated consistently within the framework of the expanding universe solutions of Friedmann .
The fractal is a perturbation to an open cosmology in which the leading homogeneous component is the cosmic background radiation ( CBR ) .
This cosmology , inspired by the observed galaxy distributions , provides a simple explanation for the recent data which indicate the absence of deceleration in the expansion ( q _ { o } \approx 0 ) .
Correspondingly the ‘ age problem ’ is also resolved .
Further we show that the model can be extended back from the curvature dominated arbitrarily deep into the radiation dominated era , and we discuss qualitatively the modifications to the physics of the anisotropy of the CBR , nucleosynthesis and structure formation .