Introduced in 2023, the Open Access Committee has several objectives, including promoting the idea of Open Access and the wholesale fibre business model, stimulating and encouraging wholesale-oriented regulation and discussing and exchanging experience and best practices. To deliver on its mission and based on the know-how of its member companies, the Committee touches upon several fields, including the regulatory framework for wholesale operators, the technical aspects of Open Access, IT solutions for network operators, promotion and education, and sales and marketing of Open Access-based fibre services.

You can expect a variety of new contents and resources generating from these discussions, that will soon become beneficial to the fibre community at large.

For those who are not familiar with the concept of Open Access, here are five main advantages of adopting this business model while deploying FTTH networks, as identified by the working group:

  1. Open Access is a model that allows for the deployment and operation of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks in a cost-efficient way.  Building one infrastructure that is accessible to all service providers is in fact very cost-efficient, and has a significant impact on national coverage and market value. This cost-efficiency results from the fact that the same infrastructure is shared by all service providers, reducing the need for multiple infrastructures and saving on deployment and maintenance costs.
  2. The wholesale model can be very agile in administration, as there is no customer care. This means that service providers can focus on delivering services, while wholesale operators handle infrastructure maintenance and management.
  3. Service providers benefit from extensive coverage of the open access network without upfront investment, which makes it easier for them to provide services to customers without having to invest in expensive infrastructure.
  4. End-users benefit from a variety of services provided by diverse operators over the open access network. This means that customers have access to more choices in terms of services, pricing, and quality.
  5. Open Access drives competition of services in a very simple and transparent way. The wholesale operator does not compete with service providers, and service providers have equal terms and conditions of access. This creates equal opportunities for all service providers, promoting a more competitive and dynamic market.

Icíar Martínez Nuñez

Applying for the Market Intelligence Committee Chair position

 

First and Last Name: Icíar Martínez Nuñez 

Company Name: Onivia

Current position: Markets & Product Director 

Company Type: Telecom Network Operator


Biography:

I lead the Markets and Product area in Onivia, the first neutral and wholesale FTTH fibre operator in Spain, focusing on the analysis, detection and development of strategic partnership programs, and, the definition and implementation of wholesale product’s go-to-market. With 25 years of experience and strong connections in telecommunications, I have worked at Orange since its early days in Spanish market and, during the expansion of the French operator into new brands and services in different technical and commercial roles. 

Position statement:

I have been part of the Market Intelligence Committee since my company joined the FTTH Council as a member in 2020. From the very beginning I saw the advantages of being part of one of the most interesting and dynamic committees responsible for the Council's flagship report, the ‘FTTH/B Market Panorama’.

Being the MIC Vice-Chair for two years has provided me with a unique understanding of what to do as Chair. My expertise aligns with the Council's mission to accelerate the availability of fiber-based, ultra-high-speed access networks for the benefit of European consumers and businesses. I believe I can bring my background and experience in the Spanish market, to accomplish the new challenges that we will face.

I can help members stay ahead of industry trends and adopt the best practices for efficient and sustainable network expansion. Understanding market dynamics and consumer behavior is crucial for next year. I can assist the Committee to expand the expansion of the Panorama geographic boundaries and increase our contribution to other committee deliverables (ex. copper switch-off tracker).  My goals as Chair will be Gaining insights into market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes, analyzing data to make informed decisions and optimize our offerings.

The best part of working at the Market Intelligence Committee is having the possibility of sharing experiences and best practices with colleagues from other countries in Europe and I have a proven track record of fostering collaborative environments and evolve the extensive network within the industry providing opportunities for partnerships, knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving.

Your past role(s) and activities in the FTTH Council Europe:

In these 4 years I have increased my participation in the committee from the first meetings where I was learning from other colleagues to the last two years in which I have been vice-chair, organising the Committee workshops during the annual conference and actively participating in the production of the documents that have been generated over the years. In addition, as a member of the company I have also organised 2 other workshops during the conferences on topics related to marketing strategies and customer experience and I have collaborated with the IBE and Policy&Regulation Committees on an ad-hoc basis.

Help us create a brighter future!

Join the Fibre Council Europe
today and benefit from Europe’s
largest ecosystem of fibre players