Nkom orders Telenor Norge to introduce new wholesale fibre product

Norway’s National Communications Authority (Nasjonal kommunikasjonsmyndighet, Nkom) has directed fixed line incumbent Telenor Norge to offer alterative telecoms providers a new fibre-based wholesale service within six months. In a press release regarding the matter, the Nkom noted that Telenor Norge had previously been designated as a provider with significant market power (SMP) as per a December 2018 regulatory decision covering market 3a (wholesale local access provided at a fixed location). Under that ruling the telco is required to offer virtual access to its fibre infrastructure, and following the decision the Nkom began discussions with local industry players regarding what requirements should apply to such a product. Now, having received feedback from interested parties, and following talks with Telenor regarding technical matters related to the Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA) fibre service, the Nkom has now finalised the technical specifications for the new offering, in a decision dated 31 March 2020.

As per this regulatory ruling, the Nkom has said that Telenor Norge must be ready to actually deliver the new VULA fibre service within six months of the decision (i.e. by end-September 2020), while within three months (30 June 2020) it must have published standard offers for the service on its wholesale website. Telenor can, however, appeal the decision, and it has four weeks from the date of its publication to do so.

―Comms Update