2023-10-16 13:50:49
The Belgian Competition Authority (ABC) announced on Monday that it will examine any agreement or draft cooperation agreement between telecommunications operators aimed at pooling the deployment of optical fiber infrastructure in Belgium.
Last Friday, the Belgian Institute of Posts and Telecommunications (IBPT) indicated in a notice that it was open to cooperation agreements between operators in the context of the deployment of fiber optic networks. The sector regulator recognizes that a duplication of infrastructure in this area might have “significant” economic repercussions. Coverage of sparsely populated areas by this technology might therefore be improved.
Having taken note of this opinion, the Belgian competition watchdog confirmed this Monday that it will examine “carefully” any agreement or draft cooperation agreement between telecommunications operators aimed at pooling the deployment of optical fiber infrastructure in Belgium. “This examination will aim to ensure that the savings that would be made by operators really benefit end users, consumers and businesses. In this context, particular attention will be paid to the conditions listed in the BIPT communication”, specifies the ABC in a press release.
BIPT particularly emphasized that any infrastructure deployed in cooperation must be, and remain permanently, open to all operators and not only to the parties to the cooperation.
In general, the Belgian Competition Authority intends to collaborate fully with the BIPT in the context of its examination of any cooperation agreement that would be brought to its attention in this area.
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