Ubiquitously available and competitively supplied fibre-based services are vital for economic growth, productivity and jobs, and for universal social inclusion, according to the International Telecommunications Users Group (INTUG).
In a submission to a European Commission consultation on regulated access to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks, INTUG is advocating that the direction of fibre services should be towards FTTH (fibre to the home) and FTTB (fibre to the business).
However, it states that FTTN (fibre to the node) will play an important and potentially extensive role in the interim, but adds the topologies and technologies chosen should facilitate competition and migration to FTTH.
In addition, INTUG states that the option of wireless providing an effective mechanism as a substitute technology for access should not be excluded, saying regulatory principles for NGA networks should apply to fixed and wireless.
INTUG believes that a balanced strategy of technology-neutral service and content-based competition should exist alongside infrastructure-based competition.
Fibre services are essential for new ways of working, for new business models, and for improved collaboration, INTUG says.
A copy of the INTUG submission can be downloaded here.
TUANZ meanwhile recently unveiled its proposal for a national digital architecture. Read the green paper here.