Dutch cable association NLkabel is changing it name to NLConnect.
NLConnect continues to represent its members in the field of TV distribution, but is now opneing up to all providers of electronic communications such as broadcast distributors and internet service providers.
The move follows the withdrawal of two of NLKabel’s main members, Ziggo – which left following the merger with Vodafone – and Caiway.
With the new name NLConnect chooses the association for a technology-neutral approach. Cable is no longer the common denominator of its members. A number of smaller cable companies have replaced in recent years their cable networks by optical fibre (FTTH) and some companies offer internet, telephone and television services over fibre networks. Other companies also facilitate wireless networks.
“What binds our members is high-quality telecom services over an advanced telecom infrastructure. The new name emphasises that,” Mathieu Andriessen,d irector NLConnect.
“There are common challenges in the field of the rights for the transmission of television content, but also when it comes to laws and regulations concerning telecommunications services and networks, such as sufferance, copyright, online piracy, must-carry obligations and broadband in rural areas. These challenges we can effectively meet together.
“Telecom is a major contributor to economic growth and to social sectors such as education and healthcare. Competitive telecom providers play an important role. Netherlands is one of the leaders in telecom and media in Europe and the world. It is the ambition of NLConnect to expand this by investing in connectivity: accelerating wired and wireless networks, but also user-friendly media services to viewers and listeners in the most convenient way to provide the best content.”
