Kroes backs cable opposition to Dutch open access move

European Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes has told European cable CEOs that the EC is opposed to draft legislation in the Netherlands that would force cable operators to open up their networks to third-party providers.

The cable industry is opposed to two amendments to the Diutch implementation of the EU Telecom Directive and one amendment to the country’s media law that could see Dutch operators forced to give open access to networks. Cable industry body Cable Europe has questioned their compliance with the EU regulatory framework which holds that infrastructure should only be regulated in this way on the basis of a market analysis that has identified a dominant network.

Kroes told a meeting of cable operators in Brussels that the EC will use its powers to oppose the amendments.