Belgium confirms open cable networks regulation

Belgian regulators have approved a plan to open the cable networks to competition. While incumbent telecoms operator Belgacom said it was pleased with the extension of access regulation to the cable sector, the country's leading cable operator Telenet said it will pursue legal action to halt the measures. From 1 August, the regulators including BIPT will work with the operators to develop the technical and financial conditions for implementing the regulations. The aim is to open the market to new alternative providers of broadband and analog and digital TV over cable networks. If all goes to plan, the terms and conditions should be in place by October 2012.