Comparative analysis of Fiber-to-the-Home market liberalization in the EU:The case of Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands

Abstract

The penetration of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) in the EU is low. This is because deploying FTTH is capital intensive. The liberalization of the FTTH market in three EU countries is studied in this paper. The aim is to identify the challenges that affect the growth of FTTH in the EU. This is a qualitative study. The Actor Network Theory is used to study the Obligatory Passage Points (OPP) in these markets. SWOT analysis is used as analytical tools to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in these markets – with respect to the OPPs. Based on the outcome of the study, this paper concludes that competition at the wholesale market aspect of the FTTH market should be given more priority than competition at the retail section of the Fiber-to-the-Home market. This prioritization in regulating competition will enable greater market penetration of Fiber-to-the-Home infrastructure