Vodafone and Orange will supply fibre optic networks in Spain

Vodafone Spain and Orange have agreed to work together to supply fibre optic networks in Spain, hoping to have reached 6 million premises in 50 cities by 2017.

Vodafone and Orange will each own the fibre it uses, but the networks have the same technical specifications to enable them to operate as a single network, to which both partners will have full access.

 Vodafone and Orange expect to begin offering commercial services on the initial parts of the network in January 2014. They expect to reach 800,000 households and workplaces by March 2014, 3 million households and workplaces by September 2015, and 6 million households and workplaces by 2017.

 The companies say they are open to adding other co-investors. They also say they will collaborate with regulators to ensure sharing of vertical infrastructure at prices based on actual costs with access to Telefonicas ducts, and obtain all necessary permits.