Orange Belgium, Telenet sign HFC and FTTH network sharing agreements
Orange Belgium says it has signed a pair of commercial fixed wholesale agreements with Telenet that will see the two network operators share each others networks. The agreements cover both current hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) infrastructure and future fiber to the home (FTTH) networks.
Execution of the 15-year agreements hinges on the completion of Orange Belgium’s proposed purchase of 75% minus one share of network operator VOO. That close depends on customary approvals, notably approval by the European Commission.
Assuming that milestone is achieved, Orange Belgium says its access to Telenet’s HFC and future FTTH infrastructure, combined with its existing mobile network and the modernization of VOO’s network in the regions of Wallonia and Brussels-Capital, will “democratize” multi-gigabit fixed and mobile service experiences across Belgium.
Meanwhile, Telenet will benefit from access to VOO’s and Brutélé’s present HFC and future FTTH infrastructure, also in the regions of Wallonia and Brussels-Capital.
"It is a major step forward in the deployment of our leading nationwide multi-gigabit strategy,” commented Xavier Pichon, CEO of Orange Belgium, on the signings. “With the acquisition of VOO, we have an ambitious investment plan to upgrade the network and to provide multi-gigabit connectivity to our customers. The agreement on the Telenet network will complement our ability to provide a hybrid fiber/coaxial and fiber-to-the-home multi-gigabit connectivity value proposition to our customers wherever they live. We also welcome Telenet as a wholesale customer on our future VOO network. These agreements will foster competition and network investments nationwide.”
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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