Bundesamt für Kommunikation Telecom Services Division Federal Office of Communications Next Generation Access Networks - the Swiss approach Philipp Metzger Vice-Director, Head Telecom Services Division, OFCOM (Switzerland) EFTA Seminar on NN and NGA Brussels, 16 March 2010

2 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Outline 1.Basic facts and context 2.Investment activities 3.Role of the NRA 4.Assessment 5.Prospects

3 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH An environment conducive to investment in FTTH Excellent telecommunications infrastructure ADSL coverage: > 98%

4 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH VDSL coverage: >75%

5 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Cable coverage: > 85%

6 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH HSPA coverage: 90%

7 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Top position in broadband

8 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH High ARPU (16% more than the average) Source: Analysys, estimation Q3 2009

9 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Readiness to invest Favourable conditions (high BB density & ARPU) Tradition of infrastructure competition between the incumbent and the cable network operators Newcomers on the market: local Utilities (electricity companies) want to build FTTH Zurich’s decision to build FTTH in March 2007 launched the race Projects abound, especially in cities

10 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Motivation and behaviour of main actors Long term vision: more bandwidth needed to offer triple-play service bundles including HDTV The incumbent’s copper network is approaching its limits Will of local utilities to invest in FTTH-networks for their own use (smart metering, smart grid) aiming at foothold in telecommunications market, initially based on open access model with one fibre CATV operators migrate towards DOCSIS 3.0 offering higher bandwidth than xDSL technologies Incumbent wants its own a dedicated fibre keep nationwide access to the physical layer of the FTTH-network offer managed network termination equipment and end-to-end services

11 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Role of the NRA Regulator (ComCom) has no legal tools to steer the development of FTTH (ULL and bitstream access have to be provided only on twisted copper wire) Regulator aims at: - avoiding new monopoly - promoting competition between infrastructures - allow free consumer choice of provider Regulator acts as enabler of cooperation

12 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Why multiple fibres? Incumbent proposes model with multiple fibres to facilitate cooperation with other network operators Single fibre network, as proposed by Utilities, only allows competition on top of the transport network (open access), but not at the infrastructure level Separate parallel fibre networks would only have very limited economic viability Multiple fibre model does not guarantee competition, but lowers entry barriers for potential FTTH operators and increases market contestability Multi-fibre model improves chances of infrastructure competition

13 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Model of Cooperation Swisscom manhole Utilities manhole OTO : optical telecom’s outlet BEP : building entry point Optical access point Optical access point Optical distribution frame Swisscom local exchange L1 access Network interconnexion InhouseDropFeeder

14 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Enabling co-operation High investment risk in FTTH deployment Consequence: real willingness to do it in cooperation Regulator acts as enabler by organising roundtable talks with CEOs of most relevant network and service providers Roundtable has triggered several industry working groups under auspices of OFCOM

15 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L1: assignment The task of the L1 working group was to: define a technical standard for in-house wiring enable in-house installation to be shared by multiple network operators avoid the need for repeated installation work

16 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L1: results Standard describes section from BEP to OTO. Important features of the specification: splice enclosure at BEP allows access from multiple networks 4 fibres from the basement to each apartment 4 connector sockets at each outlet

17 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L1B: assignment The L1B working group was tasked by the Roundtable to address the following questions: How can it be ensured that a layer 1 offer at both the manhole and the local exchange is available wherever FTTH is deployed? How can real competition between active line access (ALA) providers be ensured nationwide? How can infrastructure be built as efficiently as possible through optimisation of the number of access points and building on existing facilities?

18 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L1B: results Conclusions: Service providers expect access to FTTH networks both on layer 1 and at the level of an active line access. Service providers expect non-discriminatory offers (layer 1 and active line access) for true competition to develop at retail level. Further exploiting ULL investments would require a layer 1 offer at least in the incumbent’s local exchanges. Utilities would need to offer common service platform for ALA in order to present real alternative to incumbent.

19 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L2 L2 working group tasked to determine relevant common issues concerning access to services on layer 2 (standardized access to open access networks) Publication of technical guidelines for interface standards and L2 service definitions based on Metro Ethernet Forum Proposal to create common platform for service providers to handle their use cases vis-à-vis network providers

20 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Common L2 interfaces for data transport between service provider and clients Network providers ALA providers Clients Service users Services Tel, TV, ISP, Data, etc. Service providers ALA users L2 interface for users L2 Interface for SP S1S2 Sn SP1 SPn

21 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group L2B Proposal for a single platform with one common proxy (common platform) over local platforms of network providers (multi-platform approach). Utilities of 5 cities will implement solution based on proposal. Once operating, platform should easily be extendable to encompass defined governance, rules and policy to fit a nationwide purpose.

22 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Common platform for ordering and changing L2 connections Clients Service providers Network provider 2 ALA provider 2 Network provider 1 ALA provider 1 OSS/ BSS Common platform Proxy Orders & changes A10 U*

23 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Working Group 3: contract issues Tackling contractual issues between network operators and property owners regarding FTTH in-house installation: non-discriminatory access for network operators to existing in-house installations avoiding duplication of construction work and in-house wiring enabling free choice of service for end users through swift and easy change of provider allowing protection of investments by network providers building in- house installation

24 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Cooperation Utilities - Swisscom Framework agreements between Utilities and Swisscom to build and share multi-fibre FTTH access networks: no duplication of physical network construction in the areas of drop cable and in-house installation both partners have access to layer 1 and are allowed to offer L2 services to other service providers in some cases, Utility has exclusive right to offer L1 access to third- party providers All drop and in-house cables provide 4 fibres per apartment. Access is provided at Swisscom local exchanges; additional access points are possible.

25 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Assessment Very good BB coverage with existing technologies thanks to infrastructure competition Encouraging level of activity both in FTTH and upgrade of CATV networks to DOCSIS 3 Established players are challenged by “new entrants” Co-operation between FTTH players has become the rule Active support by Regulator has been effective and valued Dynamic is still fragile, only facts will tell the truth

26 NGA Networks I Switzerland Philipp Metzger, OFCOM-CH Prospects During further NGA development, due attention needs to be given to: continued encouragement and active support of co- operation between players business case of Utilities (open access model) development of players’ market positions question of regulatory tools how to cope with geographically differentiated offers NGA in peripheral regions / universal service ________