Press Release: Broadband: Commission consults on regulatory strategy to promote high-speed Next Generation Access networks in Europe

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the regulatory principles to be applied by EU Member States to Next Generation Access broadband networks (NGA). NGA optical fibre-based networks enable bitrates several times higher than those currently available on traditional copper wire networks. NGAs are required to deliver high-definition content (such as high definition television) and interactive applications. The objective of a common regulatory framework for NGA is to foster a consistent treatment of operators in the EU and thereby ensure the necessary regulatory predictability to invest. The Commission consulted on the basis of a draft Recommendation, addressed to the regulators in the 27 EU Member States and suggesting definitions for harmonized categories of regulated services, access conditions, rates of return and appropriate risk premiums. The public consultation will be open until 14th November 2008. The Commission will then finalise the Recommendation in the light of comments received and formally adopt it in 2009.

European Commission: MEMO/08/572: Broadband: Commission consults on regulatory strategy to promote high-speed Next Generation Access networks in Europe – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/572&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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