GSMA finds fault in wholesale access networks

The GSMA has brought out a report, “Wholesale open access networks”, which examines the performance of the wholesale open access network (WOAN) model (also known as single wholesale network, SWN) in five markets: Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda and South Africa.

This report, which follows up on a 2014 study that assessed the potential economic case for implementing the wholesale network model, found that, in the countries examined, there was only one network rolled out, with all other markets plagued by slow progression and delayed and/or cancelled launches.

“Policymakers in countries considering a move to a wholesale open access network for 4G services may believe they can achieve greater network coverage compared with models that rely on network competition. However, the research demonstrates that this is not the case,” says John Giusti, the GSMA’s chief regulatory officer. “We have found that network competition produces faster and more extensive network coverage, and the examples highlighted in the report indicate little evidence that a SWN/WOAN is likely to achieve this.” http://bit.ly/2xxtRZN

• Tuesday, 19 September 2017