Open Access Networks in Austria

In contrast to vertically integrated telecommunications companies, open access networks do not basically involve the construction, operation and provision of services to be in one hand. Depending on the operator model chosen, a completely vertically separated provider structure on the three levels may occur. Private or public companies set up the passive infrastructure for an open access network and tender out the operation of these networks. At the same time these networks are open to any operator at the service level. This creates a huge variety of open access networks in operation. As each of these networks is currently being developed according to its own standards and access conditions, there are no standardised interfaces between the different providers of an open access network in Austria. This leads to high transaction costs and represents a central obstacle to service diversity and competition in the market, because the potential of the open access networks cannot be exploited due to this inconsistent access. The study will therefore develop, on the basis of an analysis of the current state of development, options for standardising network access for open access networks via a central platform for virtual unbundling.