The French telecoms regulator Arcep has published its preliminary recommendations on how telcos should roll out their fibre-based next generation networks (NGNs). The watchdog’s proposals follow the passing of legislation in August this year which instituted the concept of ‘shared access’ to the last mile portion of operators’ networks. The regulator recommends ‘the establishment of sharing of the last part agreements that include all operators, and which make it possible to test the different solutions in several large metropolitan areas. As an adjunct, Arcep recommends a best practice whereby the building operator would offer to install additional last drop fibre on behalf of third-party operators’. In its press release Arcep says it has published ‘a sample agreement allowing joint property owners and social landlords to contract an operator to manage the fibre installation inside the premises’. Broadband service providers such as France Telecom, Iliad (Free) and SFR (including neuf Cegetel) have pledged to spend millions on rolling out NGNs and the nation’s leading cableco Numericable is also deploying increasing amounts of fibre across the country.

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