While the viability of regional enforcement of open access and other regulatory policies in Europe remains to be seen, the effort might also be an understandable response to increasing mergers and acquisition among European telcos.
KPN Telecom, the dominant incumbent telco in the Netherlands, already has been a big-time M&A "playuh" (Is there a Dutch translation?), and is now looking to acquire Tele2-Versatel, a wireline operator in Belgium.
Between potential regulatory changes, increasing M&A, and the efforts of companies like BT and Telecom Italia to strategically redefine themselves, the European telecom market is challenging its long-standing reputation for stodginess. Stay tuned.
- Light Reading offers an analysis of KPN's intentions
