Abstract
In May 2009, the Commission of the European Union (CEU) initiated a discussion about terms and conditions under which (local) governments can get involved in the implementation of municipal broadband networks (CEU, 2009). With the Community Guidelines for the Application of State Aid Rules in Relation to Rapid Deployment of Broadband Networks (in short: Broadband Guidelines), the CEU has taken a step forward in more clearly delimiting the geographical and the product market for the rollout of next generation access (NGA) in municipalities in Europe. As the document identifies the relevant competition-related aspects of municipal fibre networks, it stops short in defining appropriate public policy objectives and open fibre access on the wholesale basis and retail basis. This is troublesome as the experience in the Netherlands has shown that competitive service level entry can be hampered if open access is not defined. In addition, there is a threat that vertically-integrated market structures will emerge in next generation access markets. Functional separation can be considered as an instrument to warranty a competitive and open market structure.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the International Telecommunications Society's 1st Europe - Middle East - North African Regional Conference "Telecommunications in the Broader Society: Maximising the Benefits and Reducing the Risks" (20th European Regional ITS Conference), October 26-28, 2009 |
Place of Publication | Manama, Bahrain |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Event | conference; 20th European Regional ITS Conference, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2009-10-26; 2009-10-28 - Duration: 26 Oct 2009 → 28 Oct 2009 |
Conference
Conference | conference; 20th European Regional ITS Conference, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2009-10-26; 2009-10-28 |
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Period | 26/10/09 → 28/10/09 |
Other | 20th European Regional ITS Conference, Kingdom of Bahrain |