FNA opens consultation on draft bitstream access market analysis

Germany’s telecoms watchdog, the Federal Network Agency (FNA), has published for national consultation a draft market definition and analysis on the bitstream access market. Bitstream access allows competitors of Telekom Deutschland (TD) to access the incumbent’s network and allows them to market broadband connections under their own name. Two markets have been defined – Layer 2 bitstream access and Layer 3 bitstream access – both of which include all xDSL and fibre access infrastructures, while the Layer 3 bitstream access market also includes cable TV network infrastructure. TD was designated as having significant market power (SMP) in both markets, with the exception of 15 cities where the FNA considers that Layer 3 regulation is no longer required, those being: Bochum, Bottrop, Bremerhaven, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Cologne, Leipzig, Leverkusen, Mannheim, Osnabrueck, Pforzheim, Recklinghausen and Reutlingen. However, this applies only under the condition that the complementary Layer 2 bitstream access product is available in these areas. Comments on the draft can be submitted until 12 December 2014.