New event from the FTTH Council Europe to help bolster FTTH adoption in South-Eastern Europe

The critical importance of FTTH networks in the ongoing digitalisation of South-Eastern Europe will be one of the key topics discussed at the FTTH Congress Balkans (29-30 October, in Dubrovnik, Croatia), with the full agenda having been announced for the first time today.

With approximately 3.827 million homes still awaiting fibre connectivity in South-Eastern Europe, the FTTH Council has invited a dynamic schedule of over 60 senior thought leaders to examine the critical driver of deployments and adoption within the region and share successes to make the most of a promising market.

FTTH Council Europe Director General, Vincent Garnier, commented: “We are delighted with the quality of the agenda for the upcoming FTTH Congress Balkans, which encompasses the many market dynamics we observe in the region, as well as the European perspective. The Balkans represents a fantastic opportunity for FTTH investment and rollouts. We hope our event provides the perfect forum to foster greater collaboration and to learn more about the latest FTTH products and services available to countries within the region.”

Following opening marks from FTTH Council President Roshene McCool, the event will kick-off with a keynote speech from a Croatian Government representative, which will explore how robust FTTH infrastructure holds the key to digital transformation, economic growth and social advancement. Attendees will discover how Croatia’s strategic initiatives can pave the way for improved connectivity, enhanced public services and increased competitiveness on the global state for the rest of the region.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT) will then highlight the pivotal role of European Union (EU) policies in developing optimal infrastructure across member states, and the strategic importance of these in bridging the digital divide. Special attention will be given to the implications for Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU and how adherence to EU guidelines and its digital agenda can have a transformative impact on the region’s telecommunication landscape.

BEREC Chair and President of the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) Council Tonko Obuljen will also deliver a keynote session on the first day of the Congress, considering the role of telecom regulation for the development and adoption of FTTH networks. Following this, attendees can hear three panel sessions: A ‘Balkan Operators’ roundtable, one session on public policies for FTTH, and another on the innovative technologies available in the market.

The second day of the Congress will see a number of panel sessions grouping senior operators and policymakers from major countries within the region, including North Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. Experts found in each panel will provide a deep dive into the specifics of FTTH deployment and adoption within their respective countries from a variety of angles, including public policies, technologies and operational challenges both present and future.

“We would like to thank all current sponsors and partners for recognising the importance of this event for South-Eastern Europe,” continued Garnier. “With their support, we have been able to put together a stacked agenda of thought-leaders within the region, and we hope the insight they deliver to attendees will play a huge role in future deployments.”