European legislators have provisionally agreed on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), which is intended to simplify the construction of a fiber optic network.

The European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission have reached a provisional agreement on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA). This agreement would simplify the deployment of the fiber optic network and facilitate access to authorizations for the various Member States. Experienced mobile phone operators in particular are wary of this law because it could potentially intensify competition.

Before the law can come into force, the technical details must be clarified. The member states then have to confirm and then a vote can take place. The GIA comes into force another 18 months later.

Faster fiber optic or 5G internet connection

The aim of this new regulation is to reduce the costs associated with fiber optic expansion. These high costs are primarily due to the complex and lengthy approval process. In addition, the EU wants to use the new legislation to accelerate the expansion of fiber optic networks and offer those involved more legal certainty and transparency. This minimum harmonization legislation is also intended to facilitate access to physical buildings.

“In Europe, expanding fiber optics and 5G would be much easier and involve less administrative effort. We are combating this administrative burden by regulating gigabit infrastructure,” said Petra De Sutter, Belgian Telecommunications Minister.

Impact on competition

Not everyone is happy with this new regulation. The GSMA, the global trade association for mobile operators, expressed concerns about the new GIA. Although it claims this will be detrimental to all mobile operators, it is primarily the more experienced fiber operators who will be disadvantaged by these new regulations. The simplified process could mean more competition from smaller providers, for whom the process can suddenly be much faster.