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.

Carl Pertry

Jun 3, 2024

All applicants | Board of Directors applicants |

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Applying for a Board of Directors position

First and Last Name: Carl Pertry

Company Name: Nokia

Current position: Director of Business Development

Company Type: Vendor/Reseller (Products)

Biography:

Carl is Director of Business Development in the Fixed Networks Business Unit of the Network Infrastructure Group of Nokia. His role focuses on driving and developing fixed access network telecom solutions focusing on Tier-1 CSPs and their operational companies throughout Europe and worldwide, and on leading a highly skilled and international team of business development, presales, and commercial managers. Carl develops FTTH access networks as key priority since December 2014, first in a sales role, and since March 2016 in a business development role, responsible to synthesize technical and commercial solutions, and conduct contract closure. Prior to these roles, Carl held positions in various sales and presales roles with focus on a leading European Tier 1 operator and competitive operators in Germany, France, Switzerland, Poland, and part of Nordics. His final position was Sales Director of Network Transformation. Carl started his career in Nokia in the former Alcatel in 1996 as R&D Engineer and progressed to R&D Program Manager responsible for Platform-based-Design methodologies for Systems-on-Chips in the corporate CTO office. Carl is based in Belgium, after residing 15 years in Germany and France, is married and has one son, likes to study society and technology, tries to generate interest in engineering and science with young people and is an avid runner.

Position statement:

At FTTH Council Europe, we should - more vigilant than ever before - advocate the benefits of a fiber fixed access network for consumer and business, and the crucial role these fiber access networks play for humans and society to close the digital divide, to grow our economies and to ensure critical operations of our countries like government functions, utilities and healthcare. In this perspective, fiber access networks should be considered by all stakeholders to be as crucial as (5G) mobile networks. FTTH Council Europe still has a role to play for the “fiberization” of our European countries. The FTTH Council Europe can count on Carl’s full dedication to help position FTTH from a technological, economic, and regulatory perspective.

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

My experience at FTTH Council Europe is being part of Nokia’s team participating to FTTH Conference over many years. Nokia is and has been supporting FTTH Council Europe for years with many technical, market and strategy contributions and experts and I will join and strengthen this expert team with the firm intention to value this tradition.

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