TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Open RAN
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • 5G
  • Access Evolution
  • Private Networks
  • Cloud Native
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Sustainability
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • 5G
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Access Evolution
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • Cloud Native
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Open RAN
  • Private Networks
  • Security
  • Sustainability
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Mobile

Mobile

Telenet threatens to spoil Proximus and Orange's network-sharing fun

Nick Wood
By Nick Wood

Nov 13, 2019

via Flickr © Neil Turner (CC BY-SA 2.0)

via Flickr © Neil Turner (CC BY-SA 2.0)

  • Operators aim to create a 50-50 JV to manage their shared infrastructure
  • Telenet was in talks to join in but pulled out a few weeks ago
  • Now it has asked the competition watchdog to put the brakes on the plan

Rival operator Telenet has made moves to spoil Proximus and Orange's network-sharing fun.

According to a statement from Proximus and Orange this week, Telenet was in talks to join their proposed network-sharing joint venture, but withdrew a few weeks ago. Now it has filed a complaint against them with the Belgian Competition Authority, and has asked the watchdog to suspend the implementation of the sharing agreement.

The Competition Authority is expected to decide whether to grant Telenet's request either by the end of this year or early next year.

Even if Telenet doesn't succeed, it has thrown a temporary spanner in the works by creating a degree of uncertainty. When they first unveiled their intention to share networks in July, Proximus and Orange aimed to finalise their agreement by the end of this year and begin preparatory work in the first quarter.

While there is nothing to prevent them from continuing the preparatory work, implementation might have to be put on hold if the regulator doesn't make a decision in time.

"Proximus and Orange Belgium remain fully confident that their contemplated mobile network sharing agreement will bring positive effects to the Belgian mobile communications market," said Proximus and Orange.

Harder than it looks

Establishing a network-sharing agreement has been made to look deceptively easy lately, thanks in part to the regularity with which they have been announced this year.

Just this week, Germany's big three operators, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica and Vodafone announced their intention to build 6,000 shared mobile sites in a bid to plug coverage gaps in rural areas and alongside transport links. They have also invited new MNO 1&1 Drillisch to join in on the proviso that it undertakes an equal share of the work.

However, the situation that has emerged in Belgium should serve as a timely warning to the Germans.

If Drillisch doesn't like the terms on offer – and concludes that close cooperation by its rivals will put it at a significant competitive disadvantage – it is plausible that it might consider trying to thwart their plans.

Even after a network-sharing agreement has been enacted, tensions can still of course arise.

Such was the case with O2 and Vodafone in the UK, for example. Several years into their network-sharing agreement, overseen by their 50-50 joint venture, Cornerstone, reports emerged that Vodafone wanted more control over how it deployed infrastructure in major cities so it could better differentiate on network quality. In return, O2 sought longer-term certainty about Cornerstone allegedly in a bid to appease parent Telefonica's investors.

And these two – like many other players out there – are only sharing passive infrastructure. As operators' appetites for sharing begin to extend beyond just masts and into active network elements like base station equipment and backhaul, the potential arises for even greater tension.

Related Topics
  • 5G,
  • Analysis & Opinion,
  • Announcement,
  • Business Models,
  • Europe,
  • Mobile,
  • News,
  • Orange,
  • Policy & Regulation,
  • Proximus,
  • Radio Access Network,
  • Telco & CSP

More Like This

Access Evolution

Mobile services market grew in first quarter at fastest pace since 2010: Omdia

Jun 22, 2022

5G

What’s up with… 5G in Belgium, Orange, Citymesh, Vivendi & TIM

Jun 21, 2022

Access Evolution

Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor announce agreement for sale of Freedom Mobile

Jun 20, 2022

Open RAN

Dish makes last-minute dash to meet 5G launch deadline

Jun 15, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

Virgin Media O2 reveals largest ever year for data use as it celebrates first birthday

Jun 1, 2022

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

10:14

Executive Interview: Vodafone’s Lucia De Miguel Albertos on the ultimate RAN Intelligent Controller

39:34

Figuring out the TCO of Open RAN

6:47

Dell's Role in Open RAN

4:24

Executive Interview: Neil McRae on BT's Open RAN Plans

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2022. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).