Belgian full-service telecom operator Telenet has signed a deal with utility provider Fluvius to create what it describes as a ‘data network of the future’ in the Flanders region, including both cable and FTTH services.
The companies plan to create a new self-funding independent infrastructure company (NetCo), contributing their existing HFC and fibre infrastructure as well as developing new build fibre assets in the future. NetCo intends to operate a fully open access network in urban and rural areas that is expected to enjoy a high network utilisation rate from the start, driven by Telenet’s existing customer relationships and the incremental traffic generated by wholesale partners. Telenet and Fluvius are also open to working with other strategic and financial parties to develop the network.
Telenet operates its own HFC network in approximately two-thirds of the Flanders region and in parts of Brussels, while Fluvius currently has its own HFC network in the remaining part of the Flemish territory to which Telenet has long lease rights until 2046. With Telenet having already introduced a mix of both HFC and fibre in its network strategy in recent years, the partners now intend to gradually deploy more fibre in their existing networks, specifically in the last mile from the street to customer premises.