Click here if you are having trouble viewing this message.

JANUARY 2025 EDITION

- Latest news from our Members
 

- Telecom digest:
 

• CNMC Proposes Full Deregulation of Spain's Fixed Broadband Market Amid Shifting Competitive Landscape
• German Government raises minimum broadband speed to 15Mb/s
• Project Gigabit: Transforming Rural Connectivity and Bridging the Digital Divide Across the UK
• CPPC Signs the First Contracts to Expand Broadband Access in Poland
• Ofcom Consults on Modifying 3,9GHz Spectrum Licence to Enhance 5G and spectrum Sharing

- Next events from the FTTH Council Europe

In this interview, Domenico Dichiarante and Icíar Martínez Núñez, respectively Chair and Vice-Chair of the Market Intelligence Committee of the FTTH Council Europe, offer valuable insights into the activities of the committee and its significant contributions to advancing FTTH adoption across Europe. Under their leadership, the Market Intelligence Committee has undertaken critical initiatives to address challenges in the fibre broadband industry, ensuring the committee remains a driving force for innovation and strategic action.
Read the full interview and get insights from the Market Intelligence Committee of the FTTH Council Europe. 

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

From the shared management of environmental projects to big data analysis, to the exchange of massive amounts of data facilitating collaborations in biotech, AI, and renewable energy sectors: on the Open Fiber website, discover how fiber optics is becoming an increasingly crucial tool for fostering global scientific cooperation.

Read this exclusive interview by IQGeo, where Telecom experts Lynne Schneider from IDC, and John Tarleton from IQGeo to share tips on successful adoption of mobility software for field crews. 

In their latest blog, Dura-Line discusses how the choices you make for your in-building network can make or break your experience. Discover how conduit can provide flexibility, future-proofing, and additional protection for your indoor installation in Dura-Line’s Conduit Minute blog. 

MidSouth Fiber, a leading broadband provider, faced challenges in managing network outages relying on customer calls. This caused increased call center volumes and delayed responses. With the integration of GLDS' BroadHub and Calix Operations Cloud, MidSouth has enhanced its outage management process significantly. Read more here. 

TELECOM DIGEST

CNMC Proposes Full Deregulation of Spain's Fixed Broadband Market Amid Shifting Competitive Landscape
 

The National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) proposed a complete deregulation of wholesale fixed broadband access markets, removing Telefónica's duty to rent its fibre networks to other operators at regulated prices. The concept is supported by the widespread deployment of fibre optic networks, the creation and consolidation of new enterprises and business models, and government funding. According to the CNMC, Telefónica's fixed broadband retail share is less than 50% in the non-competitive zone, with considerable annual decreases from 2020 to 2023. Changes in competitive dynamics, such as MasOrange's merger, Vodafone's takeover by Zegona, and the consolidation of alternative networks like Digi and wholesale operators like Onivia and Lyntia, are all viewed as improving competition. However, CNMC suggests that the wholesale market be regulated for access to physical infrastructures via the MARCo offer, which is critical for network deployment. MasOrange CEO Meinrad Spenger and the National Association of Local Telecommunications Operators (Aotec) have criticised a 20% increase in MARCo offer rates, urging the regulator to reconsider the present market conditions and the model used. 

German Government Raises Minimum Broadband Speeds
 

The German Bundesrat has approved an increase in the minimum bandwidths for telecommunications services, with the minimum download speed being brought from 10 mb/s to 15 mb/s and the minimum upload speed from 1,7 mb/s to 5 mb/s. The increase is part of the minimum supply of telecommunications services, which will promote digital participation in Germany. The national watchdog Bundesnetzagentur, which evaluates and reviews minimum standards, has recommended an increase in the parameters for fast internet access and drafted an amendment to the relevant ordinance. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and the Committee on Digital Affairs of the German Bundestag approved the proposed amendment. The Bundesnetzagentur will review the ongoing proceedings for enforcing minimum supply based on the new requirements.

Project Gigabit:  £289 million (€333 million) Invested to Reach Rural Households and Bride the Digital Divide Across the UK
 

The UK government's Project Gigabit is investing over £289 million (€333 million) to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 131.000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses in rural areas. The initiative, signed with Openreach, aims to bridge the digital divide and provide the fastest, most reliable broadband to traditionally underserved areas. The project will enable remote communities to access vital online services such as healthcare, education, and job opportunities, fostering economic growth, reducing regional disparities, and combating isolation. With gigabit connections offering faster speeds, fewer dropouts, and the capacity to support multiple devices simultaneously, rural households and businesses will gain improved access to remote working, online learning, and digital commerce. The investment builds on previous agreements, including one that allocated up to £800 million (€922 million) for rural broadband upgrades, benefiting 96.600 premises across England, Scotland, and Wales. Project Gigabit also emphasizes collaboration with providers, with a total investment exceeding £2.2 billion (€2.54 billion).

CPPC Signs the First Contracts to Expand Broadband Access in Poland

The Project Centre Digital Poland (CPPC) has signed the first contracts for funding to fill white spots with fast broadband networks under the third call of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Programme. Companies FCA, Toya, and Fiberlink have secured contracts for ten projects in Lodz, Lesser Poland, Greater Poland, and Lower Silesia. CPPC approved 73 applications for PLN 435.4 million (€95.7 million) in subsidies during the third call, benefiting 111.730 households. 

Ofcom Consults on Modifying 3,9GHz Spectrum Licence to Enhance 5G and spectrum Sharing

Ofcom, the UK regulator, is consulting on plans to modify the permissible frequencies under the 3,9GHz spectrum licence currently held by UK Broadband, a subsidiary of Hutchison 3G. This follows a consultation held earlier in May on license modifications that would allow H3G to employ 5G technology for its fixed wireless access (FWA) internet service, as well as improvements to improve spectrum sharing between H3G and other spectrum users. The new consultation includes a proposal to modify the licensing frequency from 3,9 to 3,8GHz, which Ofcom says will make better use of the larger 3,8-4,2GHz range. Ofcom is currently seeking feedback on the possibility of modifying the 3,9GHz license terms by shifting the permissible frequencies from 3925-4009 to 3800-3884MHz. The consultation closes on February 25, 2025. Ofcom will evaluate responses to this and previous consultations before issuing a final decision in spring 2025. If Ofcom decides to proceed with the frequency changes, Shared Access licensees who are now overlapping with the 3800-3884MHz band will have 18 months to retune their equipment to frequencies above 3884MHz once Ofcom has identified acceptable frequencies.

NEXT EVENTS

The FTTH Council Europe is pleased to invite you to the next event within our FTTH Policy Dialogue series: Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Future-Proof Connectivity in Europe. Be the first to explore the insights from our Copper Switch-Off Tracker, a comprehensive analysis of Europe's progress in deactivating legacy copper networks, produced and presented by Cullen International.The event will also feature a high-level panel session with industry thought leaders, including representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, National Regulatory Authorities, and operators.
 

Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the conversation around Europe's connectivity future

Secure your spot today!

This unparalleled FTTH Webinar organised by Praxedo and scheduled on 30^th of January will delve into the critical role of field service software in optimizing activation speeds and elevating customer satisfaction. In a real-world case study, YplaY will demonstrate how adopting Praxedo’s solution transformed their operations, leading to significant gains in efficiency and service quality.

Register now and join this must-attend webinar to dive into the power of field service software

Join this FTTH insightful webinar, organised by Axiros, and dive into the key technical challenges of GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) deployments and the innovative solutions that overcome them. We'll explore crucial areas such as Signal Quality and Performance, Network Security and Reliability, and Scalability and Compatibility. Discover how to optimize optical power budgets, minimize latency, and ensure seamless interoperability in a rapidly growing network landscape.

Plus, learn how Axiros' advanced monitoring tools use health indexes to detect signal distortions and maintain optimal Quality of Service (QoS) for a stable, high-performing network.
Don’t miss out on expert insights to keep your GPON network running at its best! Register now.

FTTH Conference 2025: Shaping the Future of Fibre!

Register by 17th January 2025 to unlock a 25% Early Bird Discount and join Europe’s leading fibre summit in Amsterdam from 25–27 March 2025.
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in expert workshops, exclusive keynotes, and panel discussions with industry leaders shaping the future of connectivity. Secure your spot today and gain unparalleled insights into the latest fibre technology trends.
Learn more and register now.

#FibreHorizon is the FTTH Council Europe's monthly selection

of digital and fibre-related news.

For more information, check our website or contact us.

The FTTH Council is committed to being compliant with the EU's GDPR. Take 1 minute & keep receiving our news on the fibre world and the FTTH Conference!

About Us
 

The FTTH Council Europe is an industry organisation with a mission to advance ubiquitous full fibre-based connectivity to the whole of Europe.

Our vision is that fibre connectivity will transform and enhance the way we live, do business and interact, connecting everyone and everything, everywhere. Fibre is the future-proof, climate-friendly infrastructure which is a crucial prerequisite for safeguarding Europe’s global competitiveness while playing a leading global role in sustainability.

The FTTH Council Europe consists of more than 160 member companies.

Click here to unsubscribe or to change your Subscription Preferences. 

Contact Us:

Secretariat

Communications & Public Affairs 

FTTH Council Europe ASBL

4 Rue de la Presse 

1000 Brussels, Belgium

www.ftthcouncil.eu

You are receiving this email because you opted into the FTTH Council Europe database either by registering on the FTTH Council Europe website or through giving consent to a FTTH Council Europe representative

Copyright © 2024 FTTH Council Europe ASBL, All rights reserved.