In December 2019, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal with the ambition of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, boosting the economy, improving people's health and quality of life, caring for nature, and leaving no one behind.

Digitalisation will be at the core of this ambitious program and fibre is key to align the digital and sustainability agendas. As the most sustainable telecommunication infrastructure technology, full-fibre is a prerequisite to achieving the European Green Deal and making the European Union’s economy more sustainable.

The need to work collectively towards a more sustainable society has become a strategic objective of policy makers and the vast majority of private organisations alike. With this context in mind, the sustainability Working Group of the FTTH Council Europe has been created with two key objectives:

  • Promote full fibre as the most sustainable access network technology and enabler of multiple applications which can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of our activities. Remote working and learning being the most obvious examples.
  • Support all stakeholders of the Fibre to the Home value chain in their efforts to make their respective activities more carbon neutral.

Insights from the Committee

 

 

FTTH Policy & Regulation essentials

The deployment and adoption of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) networks is of utmost importance in Europe, as it forms the backbone of the digital infrastructure needed to support the twin digital and green transition, stimulate economic growth, foster social cohesion, and drive technological innovation. However, the deployment of FTTH networks is a complex and multifaceted endeavour, requiring careful planning, substantial investment, and effective regulation. The policy and regulatory framework governing FTTH deployment in Europe is therefore of utmost importance, as it has an impact on investors willingness to invest, the level of those investments, the pace of deployment, and the quality and terms of services ultimately offered to end-users.

We hope that this updated guide on policy and regulation in the field of FTTH in Europe will prove to be a valuable resource for companies, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders who are interested in gaining and deepening their knowledge about the fundamentals of the policy and regulation framework that is relevant for the deployment of FTTH networks in Europe. This guide aims to help navigate the complex and rapidly evolving policy and regulatory landscape. While most of the guide is focused on the European Union (EU), it also touches upon certain aspects in non-EU markets in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and others. The guidebook will be regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in the EU regulatory framework governing FTTH deployment, ensuring that readers have access to the most up-to date

This guide is developed by the FTTH Council Europe, whose mission is to advance ubiquitous full fibre-based connectivity to the whole of Europe. By working together and fostering exchanges between our members, we are aiming to ensure that Europe remains a global leader in the digital economy, and that all citizens have access to the high-speed connectivity they need to thrive in the digital age.

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