FCGA Presents New Global Policy and Regulation Review to Shape the Future of FTTH Deployment Worldwide

Brussels, 19th January 2024 – The FTTH Councils Global Alliance (FCGA) unveils its “FCGA Global Policy & Regulation Review”, to be officially presented during a global webinar held on 23rd January 2024. This comprehensive review, available for download at this link, emphasizes the critical role of global policies and regulations in shaping the trajectory of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployment across the globe.

The FCGA is a platform for cooperation among six regional FTTH Councils actively operating in Africa, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These councils are dedicated to accelerating FTTH adoption in their respective regions and have a unique strength in adapting their activities to local market conditions. Information sharing and mutual exchange of best practices are key, within the FCGA, to address the common goal of FTTH rollout at the global level.

In this spirit, the FCGA Global Policy & Regulation Review delves into various aspects of FTTH deployment, including legal and regulatory frameworks, deployment targets, funding and incentives, competition policy, infrastructure sharing, and access to public assets and streamlining permitting processes. The report offers a detailed analysis of the differing approaches taken by various regions, showcasing both commonalities and the unique challenges they face.

Juanita Clark, Founder and CEO of Digital Council Africa, said: “In Africa, our Digital Economy for Africa initiative aims to digitally enable every business, individual, and government by 2030. The review provides a lens into the ambitious goals we’ve set, emphasizing the importance of FTTH infrastructure for digital inclusion.”

Dr. Suleiman Alhedaithy, Board of Directors Member of Fiber Connect Council MENA, stated: “The MENA region, marked by diverse governance models, funding landscapes, and varying stages of FTTH penetration, offers a distinctive policy landscape. Our contribution to the FCGA review underscores the importance of understanding these regional intricacies to ensure universal access to high-speed broadband. “

Dr. Fouad (Frank) Jaffer, Chair of the Membership Committee at Fiber Network Council APAC, said: “Asia-Pacific countries are actively promoting the expansion of fixed broadband. Our contribution to the FCGA review sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities in the region.”

Gary Bolton, President and CEO of Fiber Broadband Association, stated: “In the United States, comprehensive federal, state, and local subsidies, along with private capital investment, are set to connect nearly every American home with Fiber by the end of the decade. Our insights into the U.S. experience highlight the collaborative approach between the public and private sectors to ensure widespread FTTH deployment.”

Nelson Saito, President of Fiber Broadband Association LATAM Chapter, said: “In Latin America, countries are recognizing the importance of FTTH networks. Our contribution to the FCGA review outlines the specific goals and initiatives in the region, underlining the commitment to extending FTTH networks and expanding connectivity.”

Vincent Garnier, Director General of FTTH Council Europe, stated: “The European Union places significant emphasis on connectivity, aiming for Gigabit connectivity for everyone by 2030. The Global Policy & Regulation Review allows us to put this target in perspective to what is being done in other world regions and to compare the policy approaches and regulatory measures used by other countries to achieve their connectivity targets.”

A global webinar discussed the findings of the review organized in two sessions on 23rd January 2024 at 11:00–12:00 CET and 17:00–18:00 CET, brought together FCGA leaders to explore the implications of the review and share insights on accelerating FTTH adoption worldwide. The live webinar also saw the participation of a distinguished guest speaker: Franco Accordino, Head of the “Investment in High-Capacity Networks” unit within the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT).

By fostering knowledge sharing, learning from regional experiences, and adapting best practices, the FCGA Global Policy & Regulation Review aims to contribute to a more connected, equitable, and prosperous world, where high-speed FTTH connectivity is accessible to everyone.

About Fiber Connect Council MENA

Fiber Connect Council MENA is a non-profit organization established in 2011, registered in the UAE, with a mission to accelerate fiber adoption by all broadband stakeholders through information and promotion, to accelerate the availability of fiber-based, ultra-high-speed access networks to consumers and businesses.

For more information about the Fiber Connect Council MENA contact:

Kholoud Al-Dorgham

Director General, Fiber Connect Council MENA

Kholoud@fiberconnectmena.org