Open Access Committee Develops Strategic White Paper to Advance Fibre Market Sustainability

The Open Access Committee published a white paper in 2025 outlining five core principles of Open Access, establishing a shared industry understanding of what it means to operate as an Open Access player in a full-fibre world. This work moved beyond legacy copper-era wholesale models and defined the characteristics required for a sustainable, competitive fibre market.

Based on member feedback, the Committee identified four priority themes for deeper focus:

• Levelling the playing field against vertically integrated incumbents

• Establishing a clear Open Access framework and standards

• Driving take-up and ensuring long-term commercial viability

• Developing strategic responses to new competition and technology shifts

Building on this foundation, the Committee is now developing a follow-on white paper, provisionally titled:
“Open Access Strategy: Unlocking the Value of Open Access for All and Ensuring Investment Protection.”

This next phase moves from principles to strategy, examining how Open Access models can support network investment, stimulate service competition, and deliver sustainable outcomes for investors, operators, and end users. The Committee aims to publish in time for the FTTH Conference in April and is actively seeking input from operators, ISPs, vendors, and policymakers to shape the future of Open Access in Europe.