Telenet and Fluvius Agree to Fiber Partnership in Flanders

Liberty Global’s Belgium subsidiary, Telenet, has announced its partnership with Fluvius, to create the ‘network of the future’ in Flanders.

The companies will incorporate a new independent self-funding infrastructure company, “NetCo”, of which Telenet will own 66.8% and Fluvius 33.2%. Combining both companies’ fixed network assets, NetCo will invest in the gradual evolution of its current hybrid fiber-coaxial (“HFC”) network into a Fiber-to-the-Home (“FTTH”) network, targeting 78% of their combined footprint in Flanders by 2038, either through building directly or with external partners, or through wholesale arrangements.

NetCo will also focus on upgrading the existing hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network using state-of-the-art DOCSIS technology where FTTH will not be deployed.

Read the key elements of the agreement here.

Telenet’s partnership with Fluvius is the latest development in the ongoing evolution of Liberty Global’s 10 Gigabit network strategies, utilizing a combination of the best upgrade technologies available, which also include:

• Full FTTH upgrade of Virgin Media O2’s fixed network in the UK, targeting completion of all 16 million UK homes by 2028. Separately, Liberty Global and Telefonica are seeking financial partners to create a new, independent joint venture that will accelerate full fiber rollout to up to seven million premises in the UK over the next five years.
• FTTH upgrade of Virgin Media Ireland’s entire footprint, targeting 1m FTTH homes over the next 3 years.
• VodafoneZiggo currently progressing with longer term HFC plans including DOCSIS 4.0 in the Netherlands.
• A hybrid approach in Switzerland, where Sunrise is deploying a network strategy that incorporates DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 upgrade technologies, wholesale and select fiber builds. To support this, Sunrise has recently renewed wholesale terms with Swisscom and SFN, giving long-term visibility on attractive access terms alongside existing HFC network.

Mike Fries, CEO, Liberty Global, comments: “This partnership with Fluvius places Telenet firmly in the driver’s seat in the Belgian market, and cements NetCo as the undisputed kingmaker with a combined retail and wholesale market share close to 60%. The partnership also highlights the effectiveness of our network strategies. By utilising a combination of the best network upgrade technologies available, we are firmly on the road to offering up to 10 gig broadband speeds in all our markets. Almost 100% of Liberty Global’s networks already offer gigabit speeds to customers today, with VodafoneZiggo due to complete its work to deliver gigabit speeds across its entire network by the end of this year. Our ongoing network development strategies will enable us to extend our leadership positions in each of
our core European markets.”