Regulation of traditional narrow- and broadband networks remains a key issue in telecommunication policies. Due to the vertical structure of telecommunication markets and to promote investment, regulatory policies in many European Member States focus on wholesale obligations (so-called remedies)...

This paper examines the topic of unbundled access to the local loop in areas which show characteristics of non-contestable natural monopolies outside the large cities. Under the heading "local loop unbundling" three variants are discussed, full unbundling, line sharing, and bitstream access. An...