EC commissioner in competition drive
25th September 2008
EC commissioner for competition Neelie Kroes is devoting herself to ensuring that any next generation broadband networks are not ruled by monopolies, reports the Register.
Ms Kroes is trying to establish a regulator policy which would apply to any new fibre-optic broadband networks rolled out in European countries.
It would spell out how rivals could use the fibre-optic network once laid.
According to the Register: "What Kroes is suggesting is a layered approach where regulatory authorities should at least insist on access to the ducts of incumbents, so rivals can lay their own fibre."
A public consultation on the recommendation is set to be open until November 14th, leading up to a final recommendation next year.
Some seven per cent of the EU population still have no access to broadband services, according to research from the EC.
Recent figures from the EC show that the number of broadband users in Europe has risen above 100 million for the first time.
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