Dutch Open Access Cable Is a Precursor to a Cable Regulation Rethink

• Publication date: June 2009

A Shift in the Dutch Regulation Paradigm In the Netherlands, like elsewhere in Europe, cable has long been outside or at the margin of the scope of telecom regulation, considered to be a TV delivery network rather than a telecom network. As cable becomes more of a generic delivery network, offering telephony and broadband services in addition to TV, the question of cable network regulation in relation to traditional telecom network regulat...

A Shift in the Dutch Regulation Paradigm

In the Netherlands, like elsewhere in Europe, cable has long been outside or at the margin of the scope of telecom regulation, considered to be a TV delivery network rather than a telecom network. As cable becomes more of a generic delivery network, offering telephony and broadband services in addition to TV, the question of cable network regulation in relation to traditional telecom network regulation moves to the forefront. In mid-2008, Dutch regulator OPTA started drafting a new regulatory regime for cable, forcing the two largest cable operators in the Netherlands to open their networks for distribution of TV content by third parties. While all the details of this proposed regulation aren't finalized yet, the principle of it has been supported by the government and approved by the European Union, and it's clear to Dutch players that it is happening.

Broadband Industry in Netherlands

Broadband in Netherlands

Netherlands Number Of Broadband Internet Subscribers, % Change Y-o-y

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 2002 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: World Bank (International Telecommunications Union (ITU)), BMI research, Operators

• Industries : Broadband
• Countries : Netherlands

Netherlands Number Of Broadband Internet Subscribers/100 Inhabitants

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 2001 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: World Bank (International Telecommunications Union (ITU)), BMI research, Operators

• Industries : Broadband
• Countries : Netherlands

Netherlands Number Of Broadband Internet Subscribers (`000)

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 2001 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: World Bank (International Telecommunications Union (ITU)), BMI research, Operators

• Industries : Broadband
• Countries : Netherlands

Netherlands Number Of Broadband Internet Subscribers/100 Inhabitants, % Change Y-o-y

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 2002 To 2016
By Business Monitor International
Source: World Bank (International Telecommunications Union (ITU)), BMI research, Operators

• Industries : Broadband
• Countries : Netherlands