| NOTAS: | "Duct and pole access (DPA) provides the ability for network owners to share duct and pole infrastructure in their access networks with other communications providers in order for them to deploy their own next-generation access (NGA) networks for superfast broadband. In Europe, the directive on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks states that network operators should provide access to their physical infrastructure (e.g. ducts, manholes, cabinets, and poles) to enable other operators to roll out high-speed broadband networks.
According to the European Commission (EC), access to passive infrastructure could provide operators wishing to deploy new networks with savings of up to 60%. As highlighted in this report, alternative operators attribute high importance to the presence of offers of passive infrastructure access. However, they need to rely on a clear and certain regulatory framework, and on an effective process to handle disputes that may arise with their counterparts. At present, regulatory approaches still vary to a significant degree and can be hard to compare, although it is clear that all regulators face the challenge of monitoring and improving the time frames in which access requests are satisfied." |
