The cable industry has reacted positively to the launch by the European Commission of a consultation on its revised proposals for the regulation of Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband networks.
In a revised draft the new recommendation includes mechanisms to allocate the investment risk between investors and operators seeking access to NGA networks. In particular there is a focus on less densely populated areas.
“We’re big investors in our own fibre-powered networks. And what the Commission is doing today with its work on next generation infrastructure is to accelerate a race to invest further in infrastructure. As we see it, this is a race we’re already in and cable is well placed to compete,” says Manuel Kohnstamm, President of Cable Europe.
The draft is part of a European Broadband Strategy that the Commission was asked to draw up on behalf of the March European Council. The public consultation will be open until July 24, 2009 and, subject to the comments received, will be adopted by the end of 2009.