Lack of access to fiber networks may jeopardize the target...

of 17 European countries found that rollout of “next generation” vDSL networks to allow higher speeds is relatively widespread in some areas but that take-up is poor, with fewer than one in five homes using the available services, ECTA said. The report suggested this could be due to a lack of effective enforcement of the EC recommendation on next-generation fiber access which requires dominant players to open their networks to rivals. The findings suggest competitors haven’t had equivalent access to those networks as they're upgraded, and that wholesale prices for fiber-based access have only been set in a few cases, the association said. This creates the potential for broadband markets to be foreclosed to alternative providers in a similar way to what occurred when broadband services first became available, it said. The study recommended that national regulators apply the EC access recommendation more rigorously; and that the EC provide clear guidance on pricing rules and non-discrimination in its upcoming statement on those issues. It also said national telecom regulators should be given more assistance on technical specifications for access to fiber networks; and that those authorities should ensure that access is provided at cost-based rates except where the EC recommendation allows otherwise. ECTA said its news release represents the views of alternative operators, not those of members with incumbent interests.