FTTx and Next Generation Access
The ETNO Director spoke at the FTTx & Next Generation Access conference.
Speaking at the session devoted to shared infrastructure, the ETNO Director underlined that so far infrastructure sharing is a concept mostly used in the mobile sector. The fixed sector is on the contrary mainly dominated by mandatory and cost-based access to networks owned by incumbent operators. The transition towards Next Generation Access Networks might however lead to a more frequent use of this concept in the fixed sector too.
The regulatory approach to NGA should encourage commercial infrastructure sharing or co-investment agreements wherever possible. However, these arrangements should be driven by market needs. Regulators should not impose one model. Incentives for partners to enter such agreements should not be deterred by disproportionate regulatory obligations.
A clear signal to encourage risky investment, through individual or joint investment projects, is expected from the European Commission through its long awaited NGA Recommendation, he concluded.
