Nkom is considering an extra remedy on top of those mandated in the last market review, since fixed-wireless is considered a substitute product where Telenor switches off its copper network.
Background: In Norway, Telenor is the operator with significant market power in the wholesale broadband access markets. In December 2018, the regulator Nkom completed its latest review of those markets, equivalent to Markets 3a and 3b in the European Commission’s Recommendation on relevant markets. Recently, Nkom also set out the detail of the notification obligations Telenor has to follow when switching off its copper network, which the company plans to entirely replace by the end of 2023.
A new fixed-wireless access obligation is on the cards: This week, Nkom proposed an additional remedy on top of those mandated during the 2018 review. The regulator noted that Telenor is offering broadband through fixed-wireless technology to many of its customers, where copper is being switched off. Since fixed-wireless sits outside the scope of the existing remedies (which only cover copper and fibre), Nkom is ensuring competitors have access to “relevant replacement products” at the wholesale level, so that they can replicate Telenor’s retail offer.
Next steps: Stakeholders can comment on the proposal up until 19 December 2019. If Nkom confirms its decision, Telenor will have to publish a reference offer by 1 February 2020, with a view to make the relevant wholesale products available by 1 March 2020.
