EC wobbles on 'vectored' VDSL for German NBP

The German scheme as notified also included as another element vectoring technology, which can be added to NGA networks and allows boosting connectivity speeds even further with moderate additional investment. However, as a side-effect, a large number of households have to be bundled together, to be served by one provider only. This means that competitors cannot gain physical access to single subscribers. The Commission is therefore concerned that vectoring may have anticompetitive effects. As the technology currently does not ensure open access to the network, which is a requirement of the Broadband Guidelines, it cannot be used in state funded projects for the time being. In any event, the scheme's objectives can be reached without the use of vectoring technology.

However, Germany announced that an access product capable of granting full access to vectored networks for competitors will be developed shortly. This product will be submitted to the Commission, which will then assess whether if fulfils the Broadband Guidelines' open access conditions. Once approved by the Commission, vectoring could then also be allowed in state funded projects.