Nkom believes that market developments point to deregulation as a solution to deliver better freedom of choice for consumers as well as increased competition
Nkom finds that there are many operators willing to provide voluntary access to their networks
On 24 March 2025, Nkom announced proposals to deregulate the wholesale broadband market in Norway. Until now, closed networks have been dominant, whereby only the one that controls the infrastructure can use it to offer broadband services. Currently, only Telenor is required to provide access to its broadband network to competitors. However, according to Kamilla Sharma (Director of Market and Services, Nkom), the market has changed considerably over recent years and there are several providers that have strong positions in their region. In previous consultations launched following Telenor’s copper switch-off, the regulator proposed designating operators with significant market power (SMP) in 10 different areas of the country. In addition, the view on open broadband networks has changed significantly, and many providers have now confirmed that they would provide wholesale access to their infrastructure to facilitate the entry of new players. Nkom believes this can create competition and is proposing that voluntary opening up of fibre networks could replace regulation of SMP operators.
Access should be provided on fair and reasonable terms, and in a neutral and non-discriminatory way
Nkom states that the broadband sector has a responsibility to contribute to giving consumers greater freedom of choice and to increasing competition in the market. The regulator has had a close and long-running dialogue with industry and has received sufficient assurances from key market players that they will open up their networks on fair and reasonable terms. While more detailed assurances are still required from some providers, the proposed relaxation of regulation is based on clear assumptions about market dynamics and future developments. For voluntary access to be a real alternative to regulation, Nkom considers it “absolutely crucial” that:
The regime is progressing well;
Access conditions are fair and reasonable; and
Marketplaces where access is offered are neutral, so that no player favours their own downstream business over external access seekers.
In February 2025, Nkom published a set of principles for voluntary fibre network access, which Sharma stresses infrastructure owners would be expected to follow.
The regulator reserves the right to mandate network access if regional players fail to live up to expectations
Nkom will follow market developments closely, initially monitoring progress in the actual opening up of networks, while also assessing how access conditions are designed. It will also be important for the regulator to oversee the terms that infrastructure owners give each other for access. Sharma feels that there would be little point to Nkom’s proposed approach if wholesale access is too expensive or complicated for competitors to deliver services using rivals’ fibre networks. The regulator will therefore develop a cost model to keep an eye on the products and conditions offered by the new open networks model to ensure that prices are reasonable and competition is functioning as it should. In previous analyses, Nkom has concluded that the broadband market consists of different geographic markets with varying competitive conditions. If companies with strong positions in an area do not open up their networks on a fair and reasonable basis, Nkom retains the ability to designate them as providers with SMP and to impose access obligations on regulated terms.
