Our key policy priorities

The FTTH Council Europe considers that fibre networks are fundamental to the digital transformation of European economies and that the objectives of the Digital Decade need to be reached in a timely fashion.

To this end, the FTTH Council Europe considers it essential to maintain a favourable regulatory framework for fibre investment in a competitive environment. The existing framework has delivered, and is delivering, good results in terms of fibre deployment and in our view, in Europe, concerns are mostly on the demand side of the fibre market.

Among our key policy priority is copper switch-off, which would give a clear signal to the sector and investors, have positive impact on FTTH roll-out and adoption, and have advantages in terms of energy efficiency and operational costs. This is why the FTTH Council Europe launched the Copper Switch-Off Tracker.

Browse below our key objectives that in our view should be at the core of the current 2024-2029 EU legislative and regulatory cycle.

Our positions as FTTH Council Europe

Reducing uncertainty on the demand side

Clear policy objectives, such as progressive copper switch-off, encourage investment in fibre networks. Learn how these measures boost productivity and support the green transition.

Maintaining a Competitive Environment

Effective competition drives innovation and network expansion. Explore our strategies to promote fair market practices and prevent monopolistic behaviour in fibre network development.

Facilitating Fibre Network Deployment

A favourable regulatory environment is critical for fibre deployment. From reducing barriers to infrastructure sharing to implementing cost-reduction measures, Europe needs to further develop a fibre-friendly ecosystem.

Supporting the Green Transition

Transitioning to fibre networks offers significant energy savings and environmental benefits. We advocate for integrating fibre networks into the EU taxonomy to unlock green financing opportunities.

Ensuring Spectrum Availability for In-Home Connectivity

In-home Wi-Fi is the backbone of digital usage. Proper allocation of the 6GHz spectrum is vital to ensure faster and more reliable connectivity for European households and businesses.

Digital Networks Act

We welcome the Digital Networks Act’s focus on investment and competition, supporting regulatory stability through the SMP process. We support a balanced copper switch-off protecting consumers, tailored access remedies reflecting national realities, and constructive engagement to accelerate FTTH deployment and strengthen sustainable competition.

Cybersecurity Act

The FTTH Council Europe supports stronger security and resilience in Europe’s telecom network and services market, understands that the proposed Cybersecurity Act is part of the broader strategy aimed at guaranteeing Europe’s strategic autonomy and security, and is willing to cooperate with European Institutions to achieve this objective.

Copper Switch-Off Tracker

This new study, carried out by Cullen International and set to become a vital evidence base for policymakers, regulators, operators and investors, provides a comprehensive analysis of the progress toward deactivating legacy copper networks in the EU27 + UK area, including policy and market implications of transitioning to fibre.

Learn more

FTTH Policy & Regulations essentials

The deployment of FTTH networks is a complex and multifaceted endeavour, and the framework governing their rollout is of utmost importance: this guide has the aim of providing companies, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders with the policy & regulations fundamentals for the deployment of FTTH networks in Europe.

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FTTH Adoption Drivers and Hurdles in Europe

By carrying out a thorough analysis of FTTH market data and doing a deep dive into 8 selected countries, the FTTH Council Europe, in collaboration with Plum Consulting, has developed a series of recommendations of measures that both policymakers and industry executives will find useful when considering how to increase the FTTH adoption.

Hans Lötzer

Jun 3, 2024

All applicants | Board of Directors applicants |

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Applying for a Board of Directors position

First and Last Name: Hans Lötzer

Company Name: Hamburg Commercial Bank AG

Current position: Head of Project Finance Analysis, Director

Company Type: Finance/Investment

Biography:

I am a Director at Hamburg Commercial Bank for Project Finance Analysis and currently and board member and the Treasurer of the FTTH Council Europe. Overall I have more than 25 years in experience in structuring and underwriting of large scale financial transactions. In my current role I oversee HCOB’s Project Finance Analysis department which is responsible for Structuring, Execution and Portfolio Management of infrastructure loan transactions, including the bank’s significant digital infra structure book. As part of this, the bank maintains and steadily grows a very meaningful portfolio of Fiber transactions in Europe and the US. Effectively all Fiber loans which HCOB is originating or is invited to participate in are passing my desk. Prior to this role I held management for positions in credit risk management in a wide variety of asset classes including i.a. national and international Real Estate, LBOs, Corporates and Shipping. I managed those portfolios and teams throughout growth, but also recessionary cycles. I hold a university degree in Business Administration with majors in finance and audit. Moreover I am a certified banker (Bankkaufmann) and a certified restructuring advisor. In addition to my role as board member and treasurer of the FTTH Council I serve as a board member in a small non-for profit organization supporting research activities in the maritime sector. I am married and live with my wife and two children north of Hamburg, Germany.

Position statement:

Efficient and European wide Fiber rollout and operation is one of the essential infrastructure backbones of our future life and economies. When I was asked to assume the Board and Treasurer’s position after the resignation of a colleague I did this because of importance of Fiber roll-out and operation in Europe as well as the FTTH Counsil’s outstanding work to drive FTTH throughout Europe. I could experience this especially by attending the FTTH Councils Conferences over the last years as well as various Fiber related events Through my current and former positions I do have a deep inside in a wide variety of fiber business models and approaches and also broad knowledge about challenges coming from construction, but also from (difficult) consolidation trends. On the back of this background I am able to take an unbiassed but vocal view on the many fiber related main topics not only from a financial, but also strategic and operational perspective. I am convinced that the view of a bank as one important source of capital in the fiber business should be represented at the board of the FTTH Counsil Europe. Being part of the board in the recent past I experienced not only a lot of fun working with a group of very talented people, but also think that I made valuable contributions the board’s work especially from a financial perspective. Therefore I would be pleased to further dedicate time and effort to support the development of the goals of the FTTH Counsil Europe.

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

Board Member and Treasurer, regular attendee of the FTTH Council Europe's Conderence.

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