GlobalConnect Group to provide FTTH in Finland after pilot project
GlobalConnect Group says it plans to enter the fiber to the home (FTTH) market in Finland. The company, which already provides business services in the country, says it made the decision after successfully completing an FTTH pilot project. GlobalConnect also owns and operates the Åland, Finland, based FTTH provider IP Connect.
GlobalConnect says it plans to gain 30,000 customers in Finland via FTTH in 2023. The company says that only 40% of the country is fiber connected, offering significant opportunities for its efforts. GlobalConnect says it signed contracts with multiple Finnish contractors in the fourth quarter of 2022 in anticipation of the rollout.
“We have studied the Finnish market closely for some time now. It is apparent that there is significant untapped potential in Finland, plus it fits very well into our strategy, utilizing our existing fiber network as much as possible,” said Martin Lippert, CEO, GlobalConnect Group. “By entering Finland, we now have an FTTH offering in all our markets, to go with a strong and diverse enterprise offering, which means that all parts of society in our operating countries can reap the benefits of our connectivity services and our extensive fiber network.”
In addition to Finland, GlobalConnect also operates in Sweden (see "Telenor to sell Open Universe, fiber assets to GlobalConnect Sweden"), Norway, and since 2020 in Denmark and 2021 in Northern Germany.
“Finland has a well-developed mobile network, resulting in many Finns being dependent on mobile-based broadband solutions, rather than connectivity through a fiber-optic network. We believe that fiber will be the foundation to all current and future connectivity and that the current situation in Finland is not sustainable, given the increasing demand and importance of network robustness and data capacity across society,” commented Charlotta Rehman, executive vice president, B2C, at GlobalConnect Group.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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