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.

Learn more

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.

Suzanne Tracy

Jun 3, 2024

All applicants | Board of Directors applicants |

Watch video testimonial Back to library

Applying for a Board of Directors position

First and Last Name: Suzanne Tracy

Company Name: SIRO

Current position: CTO

Company Type: Telecom Network Operator

Biography:

Suzanne established and leads the Technology function in SIRO, a joint venture between Vodafone Ireland and ESB (the Irish state-owned electrical utility) which is delivering FTTH to Irish homes and businesses over the electrical network. Suzanne is responsible for the selection, design and delivery of the SIRO infrastructure rollout across network & IT including the in-home installation for end-users. Having started her career as a process engineer in pharmaceuticals Suzanne has 25 years’ experience in Technology & Engineering mainly with Vodafone Group Technology across a number of markets in Europe. Suzanne is a member of the FTTH Council board and also a board member of Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited.

Position statement:

I have participated in FTTH conferences since 2019, initially as a panellist on the CTO panel and more recently as the moderator of the CTO panel. I have acted as sponsor to both the In Home Customer Experience committee and the DE&I committee. I have attended a number of GA's where I actively participated in all discussions, sharing my experience and learnings.

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

I have extensive experience of FTTH Council Europe, having served on the board for the last 2 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity, seeing the great work the FTTH Council Europe team do to champion the adoption of Fibre in every market in Europe and also learning from peers, all the time gaining better insights to our industry. As a CTO in an operating company, I have very valuable and unique perspective to share with other FTTH council members and the broader industry. As CTO I consume both Active & Passive equipment, select software & mapping tools that support the fibre rollout and define and deploy the IT OSS/BSS stack required to run a successful Open Access FTTH Network. I want to grow and share my experience to ensure FTTH customers continue to get best in class service delivery and fibre speeds. I look forward to serving on the FTTH Council Europe board for the next 2 years and thank you for your vote.

I continue to have the same passion for FTTH customer experience and copper switch off as I did when I first joined the Council Board, see video attached from June 2022.

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