PTS clear on key issues for broadband rollout

Yesterday, PTS held its annual Market Day - a well-attended event where the agency talks about current issues from its broad portfolio and at the same time offers a meeting place for all actors interested in and active in the electronic communications market. For me, having worked in several of the Agency's departments over many years, the Market Day is also an opportunity to meet up with old colleagues and learn about what's going on in different places. And yesterday did not disappoint me, but made me happy and proud of the energy and good will to contribute to market development and well-functioning competition that several of yesterday's speakers radiated from the stage.

As a representative of the telecoms industry and many broadband network builders and investors, I was particularly encouraged that the authority was clear on some of the issues that we believe are crucial to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from the most affordable and high-quality services possible. Kristina Mellberg, Head of Unit at PTS Competition Department, clarified, among other things:

• that focusing on competition at the most undiluted level possible is in the best interest of end customers
• publicly owned networks should act with caution when private interests are present
• And that the common principles for local government action on broadband are "highly relevant today".

Of course, these clarifications are not news, but when PTS as an expert and regulatory authority with the task of promoting broadband deployment throughout the country speaks so wisely, there is every reason to listen again!