NGA - lesson from mobile network access by Richard Feasey

[telecoms] Richard Feasey, director of public policy for Vodafone, rose above such technicalities to give a mobile operator’s view of the fundamental problems the fixed-line industry faces. He drew attention to the stark contrast between the momentum behind mobile broadband and the inertia affecting NGA. Ever-faster versions of mobile broadband are being rolled out across Europe, yet the rollout of NGA networks is being hamstrung by conservative regulatory debate, said Feasey.

How could the industry could reach the European Commission’s target of 50 per cent of households subscribed to 100Mbps-plus broadband by 2010, when penetration of fiber connections in the Union had yet to breach a couple of percent, he asked. Our research has also shown that the vast majority of these connections are providing services with speeds similar to current-generation networks. (see Next-generation networks shatter broadband pricing norms – subscription required).

Feasey urged policymakers and operators to think beyond merely modifying the current regulatory framework, with its assumptions that incumbents will continue to be the dominant network owners, to more radical models, such as co-investment in shared infrastructure. Vodafone, notably, is looking to team up with Deutsche Telekom and Fastweb to build NGA networks in Germany and Italy, respectively. A bold aim to be sure, but sources in Germany tell me that Vodafone’s efforts are far from going to plan.

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