Dutch competition regulator ACM (Autoriteit Consument & Markt) is lobbying in Brussels in order to open up the Ziggo cable network.
Under current regulation, ACM is only able to allow third party access to the copper and fibre networks of incumbent KPN, but not to the to-be=merged operations of Ziggo and Vodafone. At the moment, operators without a fixe network, such as T-Mobile and Tele2, can be granted access to the KPN nets.
ACM is concerned that an uneven playing field is now being created, as under current European legislation, it is not able to open up the Ziggo network. What’s more, future legislation which is currently being prepared in Brussels, might regulating the Dutch market even more difficult.
European commissioner Günther Oettinger is expected to present these plans this coming Tuesday.
Last July, ACM has asked he European Commission for referral of the planned joint venture between Vodafone and LIberty Global’s Ziggo, but this request was denied.