Brian Williamson spoke at an ETNO costing workshop in Brussels attended by industry participants, regulators and policy makers on copper pricing and fibre transition.  The presentation built on an earlier report “Copper pricing and the fibre transition – escaping a cul-de-sac” available here.

The conclusion was that the commercially driven contribution to achieving the broadband targets of the Digital Agenda will be maximised through a mix of technologies and platforms. Reducing copper prices would unambiguously harm investment by all potential investors. It would not only hinder the achievement of the Digital Agenda goals but undermine platform competition and consumer choice, guiding principles of the EU Regulatory Framework.  A broad approach to regulation of transition was set out follows: