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Development of the Danish LRAIC model for fixed networks
Fixed LRAIC Model - Consultation Document
3 February 2020
Excellence in Business
2020© Axon Partners Group 1
Contents
Contents ............................................................................................................. 1
1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 3
2. The consultation process ................................................................................. 4
2.1. Description of the files submitted to consultation .......................................... 4
2.2. Procedure to submit answers ..................................................................... 6
2.3. Clarification process ................................................................................. 7
3. LRAIC model for fixed networks ....................................................................... 8
3.1. Main inputs of the Excel model ................................................................... 8
3.1.1 Demand ........................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.2 Coverage ....................................................................................................................... 10
3.1.3 Broadband traffic .......................................................................................................... 11
3.1.4 Access network topology .............................................................................................. 12
3.1.5 Access network inputs .................................................................................................. 13
3.1.6 Transmission network topology .................................................................................... 16
3.1.7 Transmission network inputs ........................................................................................ 18
3.1.8 Unit costs and useful lives ............................................................................................. 20
3.1.9 Non-network overheads ............................................................................................... 21
3.1.10 Fully Depreciated Assets ............................................................................................... 22
3.1.11 Copper shut down ......................................................................................................... 25
3.1.12 Additional inputs ........................................................................................................... 29
3.2. Reconciliation of the Excel model.............................................................. 30
3.2.1 Number of network elements ....................................................................................... 30
2020© Axon Partners Group 2
3.2.2 Cost base ....................................................................................................................... 32
3.3. Main outcomes of the Excel model ............................................................ 33
3.3.1 Wholesale copper access .............................................................................................. 37
3.3.2 Wholesale fibre access .................................................................................................. 38
3.3.3 Wholesale coax access .................................................................................................. 39
3.3.4 Wholesale BSA .............................................................................................................. 40
3.3.5 Other recurring services ................................................................................................ 41
3.3.6 Ancillary services ........................................................................................................... 42
4. Template to comment ................................................................................... 43
2020© Axon Partners Group 3
1. Introduction
Since 2003, the DBA has annually regulated the wholesale prices for several fixed-network
services through a Long Run Average Incremental Cost (LRAIC) model. As presented in
the Model Reference Paper (hereinafter, ‘the MRP’) from October 20191, the relevant
changes that occurred in the fixed Danish market since the last major update of the model
in 2013, merited a new update of the fixed LRAIC model (hereinafter, ‘the model’) to make
sure it is representative of the current situation and can fulfil DBA’s regulatory needs.
This consultation round aims at providing stakeholders in the Danish fixed telecoms market
an opportunity to comment and advice on the draft version of the model developed by the
DBA with the support of Axon Partners Group (hereinafter, ‘Axon’), with the final objective
of maximising its representativeness and accuracy. This is going to be the first of two
consultation rounds that are expected to take place, with the second starting on April 2020
(expected) – both with the same objective of allowing stakeholders to review, comment
and advice on DBA’s model.
The draft model submitted to consultation has been developed following the
methodological principles laid out in the MRP from October 2019, which was subject to
consultation with the industry between 1st July to 30th August 2019. Consequently, DBA
does not expect to receive feedback on the methodological grounds of the draft model,
but on the reasonability and representativeness of its inputs, calculations and outcomes.
DBA invites stakeholders to participate in this consultation process following the indications
presented in the following section.
1 Link: https://erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/sites/default/files/2019-10/Final%20MRP.pdf
2020© Axon Partners Group 4
2. The consultation process
This section describes the consultation process, including:
Description of the files submitted to consultation
Procedure to submit answers
Clarification process
2.1. Description of the files submitted to consultation
The following files are shared with stakeholders as part of this first consultation round:
Consultation Document (this document): After a description of the consultation
process, it develops the most relevant aspects of the draft model submitted to
consultation for which the DBA expects to receive feedback from the industry. It also
includes a set of specific questions that stakeholders are expected to answer.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – 1st consultation document.pdf'.
Annex 1 – Presentation of the 1st draft model: This presentation provides a
medium-level description of the consultation process, the model’s structure and
architecture, its main inputs and the outcomes it produces. Stakeholders are strongly
encouraged to read this presentation once they have gone through this consultation
document to get a broad and consolidated overview of the consultation materials and
their characteristics.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – Presentation of 1st draft model.pdf'.
Annex 2 – LRAIC Excel Model: This excel file contains the inputs, calculations and
outputs (results) that conform the cost model. It is responsible for calculating the
network assets, the cost base and the service-level costs of the modelled operator
based on the inputs it has been filled in with.
For the sake of preserving the confidentiality of the data provided by the stakeholders,
the inputs of the model have been anonymized by multiplying them by a random factor
2020© Axon Partners Group 5
between ±30%. Anonymised inputs have been marked in a different colour in the
model2. This anonymisation process implies that:
• The inputs presented in this Consultation Document, in the presentation of the 1st
draft model (Annex 1) and in the Excel Model (Annex 2) are all anonymised. This
is, none of them represent the actual figures considered by DBA, although they are
representative enough to allow a meaningful review from the stakeholders.
• The outputs presented in this Consultation Document and in the presentation of
the 1st draft model (Annex 1) are the actual results obtained by DBA. This is, they
are not anonymised in order to provide stakeholders with a clear view of the actual
outcomes of the model. However, in the Excel Model, as the outputs are directly
linked to the anonymised inputs, they will not reflect the actual results obtained by
DBA and will differ slightly from the outcomes presented in this document and in
the presentation of the 1st draft model.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – 1st draft LRAIC Excel model.xlsb'.
Annex 3 – Sample of LRAIC R Model: The R model is responsible for extracting a
number of KPIs mainly related to the dimensioning of the fixed access network. Given
the highly confidential and complex nature of this information, only a sample of the
actual LRAIC R model, including anonymised information on two random areas of
Denmark, has been shared in this consultation process. However, all the relevant
algorithms are preserved in this version of the R model to allow stakeholders to review
it in full.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – 1st draft R model.zip'.
Annex 4 - User manual: This document introduces the general structure of the Excel
and the R models, providing guidance on how to operate them for the first time.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – 1st draft user manual.pdf'.
Annex 5 – Descriptive manual: Detailed technical document describing the structure
of the Excel model, the definition of its key inputs, and the algorithms implemented to
2 Please note that the inputs presented in the Consultation Document, the Annex 1 – Presentation of the 1st
draft model and in the Annex 2 – LRAIC Excel Model, have been anonymised due to confidentiality reasons.
These figures have been defined within a ±30% range of the inputs obtained with the confidential information.
Meanwhile, the outputs presented in the Consultation Document and in Annex 1 – Presentation of the 1st draft
model represent the actual figures calculated in the model. Results included in Annex 2 – LRAIC Excel Model
presents results that depend on the inputs included in the model, which been anonymized. This implies that
the stakeholder will see different figures in the model compared to the ones presented in this document and
the results presentation.
2020© Axon Partners Group 6
dimension the network, calculate its costs and allocate them to the final services. It
also describes the geographical calculations performed in the R model.
The file provided is 'Fixed LRAIC model – 1st draft descriptive manual.pdf'.
Annex 6 – Template to comment: This document includes the list of questions
included in section ‘4 Template to comment’ to ease the process of responding to this
public consultation process.
The file provided is named 'Fixed LRAIC model – Template to comment.xlsx'.
2.2. Procedure to submit answers
This public consultation is conducted by DBA within the framework of its competences from
the Act.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their comments in reply to the relevant questions issued
in this document by making use of the template to comment included in section ‘4
Template to comment’ of this document.
The public consultation is launched on Monday 3 February 2020 and will end on
Friday 6 March 2020. Responses should be submitted in English and in electronic
form before the end of the public consultation.
The consultation responses from the industry may be published in full and outlining the
corporate name of the respondent by DBA. In case the responses contain confidential
information that should not be published, operators are responsible of reporting a separate
version of the document removing any information that shall be considered confidential
for publication.
Responses and questions should be submitted to the following email addresses:
[email protected] and [email protected].
Respondents are encouraged to support their statements and comments with any relevant
justifications, as DBA cannot accommodate suggestions without sufficient reasoning.
DBA will assume that if a stakeholder does not answer a specific question, the stakeholder
is accepting the approach presented to such question under this document.
2020© Axon Partners Group 7
2.3. Clarification process
We strongly recommend stakeholders taking part in this consultation process to analyse
all the materials provided along with this document. We expect that several potential
questions may already be clarified by going through these documents.
However, if there are still any questions or doubts about any of the aspects related to the
topics included in this document, we encourage each stakeholder to send a single set of
questions to DBA through the email addresses provided in section ‘2.2 Procedure to submit
answers’.
Questions are accepted within the first two weeks of the consultation process (before
Wednesday 19 February 2020). Answers to the questions received, together with a
presentation of the 1st draft model, will be provided by the DBA-Axon team in a workshop
in DBA’s premises that will take place on Wednesday 26 February 2020.
Questions sent to DBA and DBA’s answers will be shared with all stakeholders.
2020© Axon Partners Group 8
3. LRAIC model for fixed networks
This section provides an executive overview of the model’s inputs, its reconciliation with
the modelled operator’s financials as well as its outcomes. On each of these topics, a
number of questions are raised for which DBA is particularly seeking stakeholders’
feedback.
3.1. Main inputs of the Excel model
This subsection presents the main inputs of the Excel model, namely:
Demand
Coverage
Broadband traffic
Access network topology
Access network inputs
Transmission network topology
Transmission network inputs
Unit costs and useful lives
Non-network overheads
Fully Depreciated Assets
Copper shut down
Additional inputs
All data presented in this section has been anonymised in order to protect the
confidentiality of the data provided by the stakeholders.
3.1.1 Demand
The demand of the modelled services is one of the primary inputs of the Excel Model and
is crucial to determine the required elements in some parts of the network, as well as to
calculate the unit costs of the services. This input is introduced in worksheet ‘1A INP
DEMAND’ of the Excel Model for each of the modelled services and for the whole modelling
period (i.e. from 2005 to 2038).
2020© Axon Partners Group 9
As per the MRP, the demand inputs shall represent the realities of the SMP operator in
markets 3a) and 3b) which, at the time of the consultation, means that it should reflect
TDC’s demand. Consistently, the model considers, for each access network (copper, fibre
and coax), TDC’s actual demand as shown below:
Exhibit 3.1: Demand of access services per access network3 [Source: DBA]
Section ‘3.1. Demand’ of the Descriptive Manual provides further information on how
demand inputs have been obtained.
Question 1: Do you agree with the demand considered for the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3 The figures presented in this exhibit do not consider the shutdown of copper networks. Please see Section
‘3.1.11 Copper shut down’ for further details.
-
0,5
1,0
1,5
2,0
2,5
3,0
Access lin
es (
MM
)
Copper Fibre Coax
2020© Axon Partners Group 10
3.1.2 Coverage
Coverage inputs refer to the number of connected homes by each access network.
Coverage inputs are defined in worksheet ‘2A INP COVERAGE’ of the Excel Model per
geotype and year.
These inputs were defined following different approaches for the copper and coax networks
on one hand, and for the fibre access network on the other, as shown below:
Copper and coax coverage: The coverage levels from 2018 were extracted from the
data available within DBA (see section ‘4.1.3 Coverage database’ of the Descriptive
Manual for further information about this database). Coverage levels for the other
years (before and after 2018) were set at the same level as for 2018 based on the
indications received from the modelled operator.
Fibre coverage. The 2018 coverage levels were also extracted from data available
within DBA. In this case, the evolution of the fibre footprint was based on the data
reported by the modelled operator.
The exhibit below summarizes the figures considered, in terms of homes connected, for
each access network.
Exhibit 3.2: Number of homes connected per access network [Source: DBA]
2020© Axon Partners Group 11
Question 2: Do you agree with the coverage levels considered for copper, fibre and coax
access networks?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.3 Broadband traffic
One of the critical inputs in the dimensioning of the transmission network is the broadband
traffic. Worksheet ‘1D INP NW EVO’ of the Excel Model includes a series of inputs to
calculate the broadband traffic that goes through the transmission network in the busy
hour (in Mbps) for a typical subscriber in each access network. These inputs include:
Average download traffic: It represents the average traffic, in GB per year,
consumed by a typical user in each access network (copper, fibre and coax).
Peak to mean ratio: It represents the ratio between the peak and average download
traffic. It is used to calculate the traffic in the busy hour.
The exhibit below illustrates the figures considered, in terms of GB per year per active
broadband subscriber, in each access network.
Exhibit 3.3: Download broadband traffic per line per access network [Source: DBA]
2020© Axon Partners Group 12
Section ‘3.5. Broadband traffic’ of the Descriptive Manual provides further information on
how these inputs have been obtained.
Question 3: Do you agree with the broadband traffic inputs considered to characterize
traffic requirements?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.4 Access network topology
The model follows a similar architecture to the one actually deployed by the modelled
operator. Particularly, the model defines a series of levels or layers in the access network,
which are described below:
Central Office (CO), which represents the last concentration node of the access
network, establishing the boundaries between the access and transmission networks.
Remote Cabinet (RC), which represents an intermediate point in the access network
which is used to locate the access node (MSAN or OLT) closer to the end user.
Distribution Point (DP), which are used to aggregate cables and routes in the access
network in order to ensure optimal distribution.
Final Distribution Point (FDP), located just outside the end user’s premises.
The locations of the access nodes are based, when available, on the data provided by the
modelled operator (scorched-node assumption).
In each of these locations, different network elements are installed, depending on the
access network. In summary, the network topology defined for each of the access network
is presented below:
2020© Axon Partners Group 13
Exhibit 3.4: Topology of the access networks [Source: DBA]
Question 4: Do you agree with the access network topology considered and its
representativeness of the realities of the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.5 Access network inputs
The design of fixed access networks requires an exhaustive analysis of the geographical
areas to be covered, as they will have a direct impact on the dimensioning of the network
assets that are dependent on the underlying geography, such as cables, trenches, etc.
These calculations are performed in the R model and described in section ‘4 Geographical
analysis performed in the R model’ of the descriptive manual. The outcomes of the R model
are then loaded into the worksheets ‘2B INP NW INVENTORY’ and ‘2C INP NW ELEMENT
DIS’ of the Excel Model.
FDP
FDP
FDP
DP
PDP SDP
Splitter
Remote CabinetCentral Office
CMC
L3 Access router
PTP -
Fibre
GPON-
Fibre
Coax
Copper
Fibre cableCopper cableCoax cable
Coax OLT
Copper direct.conne. to CO
FDP
FDP
FDP
FDP
FDP
FDP
FDP
FDP
MSAN Copper
MSAN Copper
Fibre OLT
MSAN PTP
2020© Axon Partners Group 14
The access network inputs produced in the R model are:
Copper access network:
• Km of copper trenches
• Km of cables (pairs)
• Km of fibre cable for copper network
• Number of street cabinets
• Number of DPs
• Number of MDFs
• Number of COs
• Number of joints
• Others, such as the percentage of homes connected directly to a Central Office and
the distribution of the configurations of the different equipment. All parameters
produced by the R model for the copper access network are available in the
worksheets ‘2B INP NW INVENTORY’ and ‘2C INP NW ELEMENT DIS’ of the Excel
model.
Fibre access network
• Km of fibre trenches
• Km of strands (PON and PTP)
• Number of PON OLT
• Number of joints (PON and PTP)
• Number of DP
• Number of PTP MSAN
• Number of ODF
• Others, such as the number of PON Splitters and the configurations of the different
equipment. All parameters produced by the R model for the fibre access network
are available in the worksheets ‘2B INP NW INVENTORY’ and ‘2C INP NW ELEMENT
DIS’ of the Excel model.
Coax access network
• Km of coax trenches
• Km of coax cables
2020© Axon Partners Group 15
• Km of fibre cable for coax network
• Number of CMCs
• Number of coax OLTs
• Number of taps
• Number of coax splitters
• Number of DPs
• Others, such as the number of amplifiers and the configurations of the different
equipment. All parameters produced by the R model for the coax access network
are available in the worksheets ‘2B INP NW INVENTORY’ and ‘2C INP NW ELEMENT
DIS’ of the Excel model.
Only a sample of the R model has been shared with stakeholders due to confidentiality
and complexity reasons; however, the following can still be reviewed:
How these inputs have been calculated, by assessing the methodology and algorithms
adopted in the R model.
The final outcomes of the R model, accepting a ±30% differential due to the
anonymization of these figures in the Excel model, by reviewing the inputs including in
worksheets ‘2B INP NW INVENTORY’ and ‘2C INP NW ELEMENT DIS’ of the Excel Model.
The exhibit below provides an illustrative example of the kilometres of trenches in the fibre
access network for different geotypes in the Hovedstaden region:
2020© Axon Partners Group 16
Exhibit 3.5: Illustrative example of the outputs produced by the R model for the access network
(kilometres of trenches in the fibre access network for different geotypes in the Hovedstaden
region) [Source: DBA]
Question 5: Do you agree with the access network inputs considered and their
representativeness of the realities of the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.6 Transmission network topology
The transmission network topology used in the cost model is based on the actual hierarchy
adopted by the modelled operator. Four layers are considered in the transmission network:
Core nodes
Distribution nodes
Aggregation nodes
L3 access nodes
-
500
1.000
1.500
2.000
2.500
3.000
3.500
4.000#
Km
of
tren
ch
es i
n t
he f
ibre n
etw
ork
URBAN SUBURBAN RURAL
2020© Axon Partners Group 17
A summary of the topology considered is presented in the exhibit below:
Exhibit 3.6: Architecture of the transmission networks [Source: DBA]
Please note that, in line with the nodes of the access network, the topology and location
of the nodes in the transmission network is based on data from the modelled operator.
Additionally, the exhibit below provides a high-level overview of the transmission topology
considered in the Excel model:
L3
Access
Netw
ork
L3 Access Node
Ag
greg
ati
on
N
etw
ork
Dis
trib
uti
on
n
etw
ork
Core
netw
ork
L3 Access Node
Aggregation Router Aggregation Router
Distribution Router Distribution Router
Core Router Core Router
Access Networks
Access Networks
2020© Axon Partners Group 18
Exhibit 3.7: Map of the transmission network defined in the model4 [Source: DBA]
Question 6: Do you agree with the transmission network topology considered and its
representativeness of the realities of the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.7 Transmission network inputs
As for access networks, transmission networks require an exhaustive geographical
analysis, as they have a direct impact on the dimensioning of the network assets that are
dependent on the underlying geography, such as cables, trenches, etc.
These calculations are also performed in the R model and described in section ‘4
Geographical analysis performed in the R model’ of the descriptive manual. The outcomes
4 The L3 Access layer is not represented in this exhibit for the sake of the simplicity and clarity of the
illustration.
A ggregation node C ore-Core link
A gg-Agg link
Dis tribution node
Dis t-Core Link
C ore node Dis t-Agg link
2020© Axon Partners Group 19
of the R model are then loaded into the worksheet ‘2D INP CORE & TX RINGS’ for each
transmission network, namely:
L3 Access network
Aggregation network
Distribution network
Core network
The transmission network inputs produced in the R model are:
Number of nodes
Number of rings/chains
Total route length of chains
The total percentage of traffic handled by each chain
Only a sample of the R model has been shared with stakeholders due to confidentiality
and complexity reasons; however, the following can still be reviewed:
How these inputs have been calculated, by assessing the methodology and algorithms
adopted in the R model.
The final outcomes of the R model, accepting a ±30% differential due to the
anonymization of these figures in the Excel model, by reviewing the inputs included in
the worksheet ‘2D INP CORE & TX RINGS’ of the Excel Model.
The exhibit below provides an illustrative example of the distribution of the length of the
transmission networks across the different layers defined, as generated by the R model:
2020© Axon Partners Group 20
Exhibit 3.8: Illustrative example of the outputs produced by the R model for the access network
(share of transmission routes per transmission network category) [Source: DBA]
Question 7: Do you agree with the transmission network inputs considered and their
representativeness of the realities of the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.8 Unit costs and useful lives
The assets’ unit costs and associated information (including cost trends, OpEx
percentages, useful lives) are included in the worksheet ‘1B INP UNIT COSTS’ of the Excel
Model for each of the network elements defined. These inputs are used to calculate the
annualised operational (OpEx) and capital (CapEx) expenses per asset and year.
For each of the assets defined in the model, this worksheet includes:
Inputs relevant to capital expenditures.
• Unit CapEx. Represents the acquisition and installation costs of the network
element.
72,3%
19,0%
6,2%
2,5%
L3 Access Network Aggregation Network
Distribution network Core Network
2020© Axon Partners Group 21
• CapEx trend. Represents the evolution of the asset price over the years.
• Useful live. Represents the average technical duration (in years) of the asset.
Inputs relevant to operational expenditures.
• Unit OpEx. Represents the annual cost of maintaining and operating the asset as
a percentage of its unit CapEx. It also includes rental expenses.
• Percentage of labour work. Represents the share of OpEx that is related to staff
costs.
As per the MRP, the prices used in the model reflect those that an efficient operator would
face, considering the scale of the modelled operator.
Section ‘3.2. Asset Costs’ of the Descriptive Manual provides further information on how
these inputs have been obtained.
Question 8: Do you agree with the unit costs and useful lives introduced in the worksheet
‘1F INP UNITARY COSTS’ of the Excel Model?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references5.
3.1.9 Non-network overheads
Non-network overheads are included in the model to account for costs that are not directly
related to the network, but yet should be (partially) recovered through the wholesale rates
for regulated services. As presented in the MRP, these costs are included in the Excel
model as a mark-up over network costs
Four different non-network overheads have been considered in the model depending on
their nature:
G&A: It represents the costs of general and administrative activities. This mark-up
has been calculated based on the cost accounts of the modelled operator using the
following formula:
5 References may include items such as invoices, information that shows the representativeness of the invoice
for the entire network (e.g. in terms of number of elements associated to the invoice in comparison with the
overall number of elements in the network), audited accounting systems, etc.
2020© Axon Partners Group 22
% 𝐺&𝐴 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘 − 𝑢𝑝 =𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)= 8,50 %
IT: It represents the costs related to general IT platforms (e.g. billing). This mark-up
has been calculated based on the cost accounts of the modelled operator using the
following formula:
% 𝐼𝑇 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘 − 𝑢𝑝 =𝐼𝑇 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)= 4,10 %
Wholesale and commercial: It represents the costs related to wholesale and
commercial specific operations. This mark-up has been calculated based on the cost
accounts of the modelled operator using the following formula:
% 𝑊ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘 − 𝑢𝑝 =𝑊ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠 (𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐿𝑅𝐴𝐼𝐶 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙)= 5,50 %
Working Capital: It refers to the cost or revenues generated by the working capital
of the modelled operator. As informed in the MRP, given that the modelled operator
has not been able to quantitatively prove its existence, it has been left empty.
Further details on the calculations of these inputs are provided in the descriptive manual.
Question 9: Do you agree with the non-network overheads considered for the modelled
operator?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.1.10 Fully Depreciated Assets
As presented in the MRP, the model does not take fully depreciated assets in copper and
coax access networks6 into consideration to avoid over-recovering their costs. Particularly,
this consideration applies to the following assets:
Copper networks: Copper cable, including civil infrastructure used to install these
cables (trenches, ducts, etc.).
6 No adjustment is applied in the case of fibre networks
2020© Axon Partners Group 23
Coax networks: Coax cable, including civil infrastructure used to install these cables
(trenches, ducts, etc.).
To apply this adjustment, detailed information from the Fixed Asset Register (FAR) of the
modelled operator is required. Particularly, the following items are needed:
Total gross book value (GBV) of the assets under operation in the copper and coax
access networks.
The year when the assets were originally purchased.
This information is required to understand the percentage of assets under operation that
are fully depreciated. Note that, as explained in the MRP, the useful lives from the existing
LRAIC models are considered instead of the accounting useful lives to ensure consistency
with the regulation adopted by DBA so far.
However, we identified three main limitations when performing this assessment:
There is no information regarding assets that were fully depreciated by 1995.
Therefore, these could not be accounted for in the calculations performed, leading to
a potential underestimation of the percentage of fully depreciated assets.
Even though the percentage of fully depreciated assets had to be calculated as of the
first year of the model (i.e. 2005), the DBA-Axon team only had access to a detailed
Fixed Asset Register from the modelled operator for the year 2018, meaning that the
calculation of the percentage of fully depreciated assets actually refers to 2018. This
could arguably lead to a potential overestimation of the percentage of fully depreciated
assets.
The optimal useful lives to be considered could be argued, given that even though
regulatory useful lives should be preferred, they were only used for regulatory
purposes since the late 2000s. This means that TDC probably recovered most of the
access assets’ costs beforehand, considering their financial useful lives. Therefore, the
adoption of the regulatory useful lives may lead to a potential underestimation of this
percentage.
As a result of these limitations and given that they could drive the actual share of fully
depreciated assets in opposite directions, it must be concluded that there is some degree
of uncertainty on the actual share of fully depreciated assets as of 2005 in the modelled
operator’s copper and coax networks.
2020© Axon Partners Group 24
Despite this situation, the table below illustrates the figures obtained from the 2018 FAR
from the modelled operator:
Parameter Copper
networks
Coax
networks
Figures from the FAR
Total GBV of the assets currently under operation 100,0 100,0
Total GBV of the fully depreciated assets 27,0 23,6
Figures from the FAR indexed to 2018, based on inflation
Total GRC of the assets currently under operation [a] 150,6 118,7
Total GRC of the fully depreciated assets [b] 55,4 32,2
Indexed ratio of fully depreciated assets [b/a] 36,8% 27,1%
Exhibit 3.9: Figures7 considered for the calculation of fully depreciated assets [Source: DBA]
Further, in order to verify the reasonability of the figures obtained, the DBA-Axon team
has assessed the results obtained under the two methodological alternatives available to
implement the EC’s Recommendation:
Calculate the Gross Replacement Cost (GRC) of the relevant copper and coax access
assets as of 2005, considering only the non-fully depreciated assets, and depreciate
them based on their technical useful lives. No additional investments in such assets
after 2005 are considered under this approach.
Calculate the Net Replacement Cost (NRC) of the relevant copper and coax access
assets as of 2005 and depreciate them based on their remaining technical useful lives.
New investments in such assets are considered after 2005 under this approach when
the remaining technical useful live expires and those assets are still required in the
network.
As expected from a theoretical perspective, both approaches have led to similar results,
thus pointing to the overall reasonability of the exercise performed.
However, given the underlying uncertainty of the share of fully depreciate assets that shall
be considered in the Excel Model, four different alternatives have been presented in the
control panel (30%, 40%, 50% and 60%) which may easily be selected by the user, as
shown below:
7 Figures have been normalised to preserve the confidentiality of the operator.
2020© Axon Partners Group 25
Exhibit 3.10: Selection of the percentage of fully depreciated assets [Source: Axon Consulting]
Question 10: Do you agree with the fact that it may not be possible to extract the actual
percentage of fully depreciated assets from the modelled operator’s financials due to the
reasons explained? In this case, which percentage (30%, 40%, 50% or 60%) do you think
that would better reflect the status of the modelled operator’s network?
Given the relevance of this input, stakeholders are highly advised to support their
suggested percentage with thorough analyses based on actual data whenever possible.
3.1.11 Copper shut down
As described in the MRP, the modelling period goes from 2005 until 2038. This means that
it may be plausible that the copper network is shut down within the modelled period. A
copper network shutdown would imply that:
There is no demand in the copper network beyond the shutdown year (any copper
demand introduced in the worksheet ‘1A DEMAND’ is automatically migrated to the
fibre access network).
LRAIC Model for Fixed Networks
Control panel
Execution mode Full execution
Execution time 04:17 1
Input scenarios
Demand scenario Base case
selected.demand.scenario
Copper shutdown year 2.030
selected.copper.shutdown GENERAL CHECK
Annualisation of copper shut-down costs GRC annualised within active years OK
selection.annualisation.copper.shutdown
Remove fully depreciated assets? Yes
selection.fully.depreciated
Percentage of fully depreciated assets 50%
selection.fully.depreciated.percentage
Annualisation methodology Economic Depreciation
selection.annualisation.method
WACC 4,54%
input.wacc
Risk premium 2,00%
input.risk.premium
Consider productivity factor? Yes
selection.productivity.factor
RUN
UPDATE
KPIs
CONTENTS
MAP
2020© Axon Partners Group 26
There are no operational costs in the copper access network beyond the shutdown
year. Further, the model considers that the operational costs from the copper access
network will progressively decrease progressively as the copper network is being
dismantled.
The copper shutdown year can be selected by the user through the control panel as
illustrated below. As a reference, the base case considered in the model shared with the
stakeholders is that the copper network is going to be switched off in 2030.
Exhibit 3.11: Selection of the year for copper shutdown [Source: Axon Consulting]
When assessing the impact of a copper shutdown before the end of the modelling period,
it is particularly important to evaluate its implications on the recovery of the capital costs.
In particular, the model calculates and annualises the investment required for copper
access networks over the useful lives of the assets. At the same time, the timeframe of
the model was set in line with the useful lives of these assets to guarantee a consistent
approach in the depreciation of their GRC. However, if the copper network is shut down
LRAIC Model for Fixed Networks
Control panel
Execution mode Full execution
Execution time 04:17 1
Input scenarios
Demand scenario Base case
selected.demand.scenario
Copper shutdown year 2.030
selected.copper.shutdown GENERAL CHECK
Annualisation of copper shut-down costs GRC annualised within active years OK
selection.annualisation.copper.shutdown
Remove fully depreciated assets? Yes
selection.fully.depreciated
Percentage of fully depreciated assets 50%
selection.fully.depreciated.percentage
Annualisation methodology Economic Depreciation
selection.annualisation.method
WACC 4,54%
input.wacc
Risk premium 2,00%
input.risk.premium
Consider productivity factor? Yes
selection.productivity.factor
RUN
UPDATE
KPIs
CONTENTS
MAP
2020© Axon Partners Group 27
before the end of their useful lives, it becomes important to define the treatment to be
given to the annualization of such costs. There are mainly two alternatives to address this
issue:
a) All GRC is annualized within the “active” years of the copper network. This
would imply artificially adjusting the useful lives of the copper access assets to ensure
they are either lower or equal to the modelling timeframe.
b) Only the GRC that, according to the technical useful lives of the assets, is
expected to be annualized during the “active” years of the copper network is
considered. This would imply keeping the originally defined technical useful lives and
consider the default annualisation costs generated by these assets in any year of the
model.
Alternative a) above would naturally lead to higher unit costs for the copper access services
when a copper network shutdown is expected to take place before 2038 (the last year of
the model). On the other hand, if no shutdown of the copper network is expected (or if it
takes place in 2038), both alternatives will lead to the same results.
Even though alternative b) could seem to lead to an under-recovery of costs by the
modelled operator, it is important to clarify that this may not necessarily be the case. This
is because the model considers all non-fully depreciated assets to be newly deployed in
2005, which is a common technique in Current Cost Accounting (CCA) Bottom-Up cost
models but does not reflect the factual situation of the modelled operator. This implies
that the NRC considered in the model in 2005 is notably higher than the Net Book Value
(NBV), even if indexed, registered in the modelled operator’s financials.
As discussed in the previous section, when no copper shutdown is considered, the
difference in the 2005 NRC is offset throughout the modelled period because the model
does not consider new reinvestments in the main passive copper access assets while the
modelled operator does in practice (e.g. due to the yearly replacements required). This
means that under this scenario, the cost base recovered in the model and the cost base
expected to be recovered by the modelled operator are broadly similar.
However, if a copper shutdown is considered to take place before 2038, alternative a) may
indeed lead to an over-recovery of the modelled operator’s costs, as the financial NBV
(even if indexed) of the modelled operator could not have enough time to reach, in
practice, the 2005 NRC considered in the model.
2020© Axon Partners Group 28
The exhibit below provides an illustrative example of the behaviour that should be
expected in the model and in the modelled operator’s financials when no copper shutdown
is considered and when the copper network is expected to be shut down in 2025 (under
alternatives a and b):
Exhibit 3.12: Illustrative behaviour of the model and the modelled operator’s financials under
different copper shutdown scenarios [Source: DBA]
Both alternatives can be selected by the user in the control panel to assess their impact
on the final results when a copper network shutdown is expected, as shown below:
ALTER
NA
TIV
E B
NO
SH
UTD
OW
N
OPERATOR
MODELGRC: 100NRC: 100
Total amount depreciated: 100
GRC: 150NRC: 30
Total amount depreciated: 100
No new investments
Investment: 30 Investment: 30 Investment: 30
SH
UTD
OW
N 2
02
5
OPERATOR
MODELGRC: 100NRC: 100
Total amount depreciated: 100
GRC: 150NRC: 30
Total amount depreciated: 50
No new investments
Investment: 30ALTER
NA
TIV
E A
OPERATOR
MODELGRC: 100NRC: 100
Total amount depreciated: 60
GRC: 150NRC: 30
Total amount depreciated: 50
No new investments
Investment: 30
20382005 2025
2020© Axon Partners Group 29
Exhibit 3.13: Selection of the scenario for the recovery of copper costs when a shutdown is
considered [Source: Axon Consulting]
Question 11: Do you agree with the consideration that the copper access network will be
shut down around 2030?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
Question 12: What approach do you believe should be adopted in the Excel Model to
recover the capital costs of the copper access network when it is switched off before the
end of the modelling period?
Please support your suggested approach with analyses, information and/or references.
3.1.12 Additional inputs
Beyond the inputs detailed above, the model includes additional parameters that are
relevant for the dimensioning and costing of the network. Some examples of these inputs
include:
LRAIC Model for Fixed Networks
Control panel
Execution mode Full execution
Execution time 04:17 1
Input scenarios
Demand scenario Base case
selected.demand.scenario
Copper shutdown year 2.030
selected.copper.shutdown GENERAL CHECK
Annualisation of copper shut-down costs GRC annualised within active years OK
selection.annualisation.copper.shutdown
Remove fully depreciated assets? Yes
selection.fully.depreciated
Percentage of fully depreciated assets 50%
selection.fully.depreciated.percentage
Annualisation methodology Economic Depreciation
selection.annualisation.method
WACC 4,54%
input.wacc
Risk premium 2,00%
input.risk.premium
Consider productivity factor? Yes
selection.productivity.factor
RUN
UPDATE
KPIs
CONTENTS
MAP
2020© Axon Partners Group 30
Percentage of civil infrastructure shared with utility companies
Percentage of lines that are inactive but have a drop installed
Allocation of the coax spectrum to each service (broadband, TV, VoD).
Other access network inputs, such as the number of pairs per copper cable
All these inputs are included in the worksheets ‘1C INP NW’ and ‘1D INP NW EVO’ of the
model.
Question 13: Do you agree with the remaining inputs of the Excel model?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.2. Reconciliation of the Excel model
This section summarises the results of the reconciliation performed between the outcomes
of the Excel model and the operational and financial realities of the modelled operator.
The reconciliation has been performed in terms of:
Number of elements
Cost base
3.2.1 Number of network elements
The number of elements calculated by the model is compared to the actual number of
elements reported by the modelled operator to ensure the modelled network is
representative of the actual network deployed by the modelled operator. This comparison
is performed solely for the year 2018. In all cases we consider that figures are reconciled
if the result of the model is within a ±10% range from the reference value.
The results of the reconciliation of the number of network elements are presented in the
table below:
2020© Axon Partners Group 31
Network element Difference compared
to the reference Comments
Copper networks
Copper cable 4,6% Figures are reconciled
Trenches (km) -7,2% Figures are reconciled
MSAN 7,0% Figures are reconciled
MDF -1,9% Figures are reconciled
DP 0,4% Figures are reconciled
Fibre networks
Fibre Cable N/A
No reference for comparison was provided by TDC. Its
reasonability was assessed through a comparison with
the results of the old model.
Trenches (km) N/A
No reference for comparison was provided by TDC. Its
reasonability was assessed through a comparison with
the results of the old model.
OLT -0,0% Figures are reconciled
MSAN - PTP -27,8%
Figures are not directly comparable given that, for
instance, based on the data reported by TDC, there are
MSAN – PTP installed in areas without FTTH coverage.
Coax networks
Coax cable N/A
No reference for comparison was provided by TDC. Its
reasonability was assessed through a comparison with
the results of the old model.
Coax trenches N/A
No reference for comparison was provided by TDC. Its
reasonability was assessed through a comparison with
the results of the old model.
CMC 0,7% Figures are reconciled
Amplifiers 1,3% Figures are reconciled
TAP 5,6% Figures are reconciled
Power splitter -28,4%
Difference is originated by the consideration of a full
DOCSIS 3.1 network in the cost model (instead, TDC
figures may be representative of a mix of DOCSIS 3.0
and 3.1).
Coax cabinet -20,1%
Difference is originated in the consideration of a full
DOCSIS 3.1 network in the cost model (instead, TDC
figures may be representative of a mix of DOCSIS 3.0
and 3.1).
Transmission networks
TX fibre N/A
No reference for comparison was provided by TDC. Its
reasonability was assessed through a comparison with
the results of the old model.
Core router - Figures are reconciled
L3 router -47,8%
The model considers the migration towards the chain
configuration in the L3 Access Network, which results in
a lower number of L3 routers
Submarine cable - Figures are reconciled
Landing stations - Figures are reconciled
Exhibit 3.14: Reconciliation of the number of network elements [Source: DBA]
2020© Axon Partners Group 32
Question 14: Do you agree with the results of the reconciliation of the number of network
elements?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.2.2 Cost base
The reconciliation of the cost base compares the total costs of the model with the relevant
network costs of the modelled operator to assess their representativeness. This
comparison is performed solely for the year 2018. Similar to the previous exercise, the
results were considered to be reconciled when they fell within a ±10% range from the
reference figure.
In order to extract the reference figures, in terms of depreciation and operational costs,
we extracted its costs from an analysis of the Accounting Separation system of the
operator. Notably, TDC reported its Accounting Separation results for the year 2018 with
a detailed degree of disaggregation. From the total results reported by TDC, we subtracted
costs that were not applicable to the fixed LRAIC model to calculate the final reference
figures. Notably two steps were followed in the calculation of the final reference figures
based on the total depreciation and operational costs from TDC:
First, costs related to fixed voice as well as to TDC’s mobile unit were removed, based
on the cost classifications provided by TDC. Additionally, other costs (including costs
from CDNs, IoT platforms and customer premise equipment, among others) were also
removed.
Secondly, costs that were not relevant for the Bottom Up model were discarded. These
include i) installation costs8 ii) international connectivity costs and iii) other costs such
as administrative costs 9 , costs for work carried out for public authorities and
costs/revenues from compensation cases, among others.
Further, some of the models features need also to be adjusted in order to assess the
reconciliation of the cost base, in particular:
8 Even though the model calculates the unit costs for the one-off services, installation costs are not accounted
for in the total cost base calculated in the model.
9 General and administrative expenses are excluded from the cost base and included as a mark-up afterwards.
2020© Axon Partners Group 33
The depreciation methodology has to be set at “tilted annuities”
The cost trends for the unit costs are set to zero.
The WACC is also set to zero
Non-network overheads are excluded from the cost base
Application of the adjustment for fully depreciated assets from the FAR (without
indexing) to all years of the model.
The results of the reconciliation of the cost base are presented in the table below:
Cost type Difference compared
to the reference Comments
CapEx -1,8% Figures are reconciled
OpEx 3,9% Figures are reconciled
Exhibit 3.15: Reconciliation of the cost base [Source: DBA]
Question 15: Do you agree with the results of the reconciliation of the cost base?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.3. Main outcomes of the Excel model
The main outcomes of the Excel Model are presented in the following worksheets of the
model:
Worksheet ‘COVER’: The user may select up to three different scenarios for display. In
each scenario, the user may select a recurring service and the relevant geotype
(combination of region, degree of urbanisation, type of building and
regulated/unregulated areas) to be displayed, as shown below
2020© Axon Partners Group 34
Exhibit 3.16: Snapshot of the results overview presented in the cover of the model [Source: DBA]
Worksheet ‘8A RESULTS SERV’: This worksheet shows the results of all the recurring
services simultaneously, under the geotype (combination of region, degree of
urbanisation, type of building and regulated/unregulated areas) selected by the user,
as shown below:
Result overview
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
Selected service: Access.Copper.Wholesale.Raw CopperAccess.Fibre.Wholesale.Raw access
(POI1)
Access.Coaxial.Wholesale.BSA
Access (POI2/POI3)
Units DKK / Lines / Year DKK / Lines / Year DKK / Lines / Year
Region All All All
Degree of Urbanisation All All All
Type of building All All All
Regulated areas All All All
869892
915937
962988
1.016 1.034
1.220 1.236 1.2551.282 1.300 1.318 1.336 1.356
593 602 612 622 632 644 657 670
-
200
400
600
800
1.000
1.200
1.400
1.600
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
DK
K /
Lin
es /
Ye
ar
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
2020© Axon Partners Group 35
Exhibit 3.17: Snapshot of the results table presented in the worksheet '8A RESULT SERV' [Source:
DBA]
Worksheet ‘8B RESULTS ANC SERV’: This worksheet shows the results of the ancillary
services per year, as illustrated below:
Region All
Degree of urbanisation All
Type of building All
Regulated areas All
Service Units 2005 … 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 … 2038
Access.Copper.Wholesale.VULA
(POI0)DKK / Lines / Year 695 … 890 911 933 954 976 1.000 … -
Access.Copper.Wholesale.VULA
(POI1)DKK / Lines / Year 725 … 927 949 971 993 1.015 1.040 … -
… … - … - - - - - - … -
Access.Fibre.Wholesale.Raw
access (POI0)DKK / Lines / Year - … 796 806 819 834 857 870 … 1.164
Access.Fibre.Wholesale.Raw
access (POI1)DKK / Lines / Year - … 1.206 1.220 1.236 1.255 1.282 1.300 … 1.683
Access.Fibre.Wholesale.VULA
access (POI1)DKK / Lines / Year - … 985 993 1.003 1.016 1.037 1.048 … 1.317
… … - … - - - - - - … -
Access.Coaxial.Wholesale.BSA
Access (POI2/POI3)DKK / Lines / Year 524 … 586 593 602 612 622 632 … 935
… … - … - - - - - - … -
2020© Axon Partners Group 36
Exhibit 3.18: Snapshot of the results table presented in the worksheet '8B RESULTS ANC SERV'
[Source: DBA]
This section presents the results produced by the model for some of its key services,
namely:
Wholesale copper access
Wholesale fibre access
Wholesale coax access
Wholesale BSA
Other recurring services
Ancillary services
As detailed in section ‘3.1 Main inputs of the Excel model’, the model allows for the
calculation of costs under different scenarios. The results presented in this section have
been produced considering the following options:
Copper shut down year: 2030
Annualisation of copper shut-down costs: GRC annualised within active years
ServiceService
Identifier2005 … 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 … 2038
Migration Services.From
Raw/Shared Copper to
BSA/VULA
5.5.2.1 210 … 210 212 211 211 211 211 … 209
Migration Services.From
BSA/VULA (without PSTN) to
Raw Copper
5.5.2.2 248 … 248 250 249 249 248 249 … 247
Migration Services.From
BSA/VULA (without PSTN) to
Shared Copper
5.5.2.3 225 … 225 227 226 225 225 225 … 224
Migration Services.From BSA
(without PSTN) to BSA (with
PSTN)
5.5.2.4 73 … 73 74 74 73 73 73 … 73
… … … … … … … … … … … …
Installation.New installation
(unassisted) – eBSA5.6.2.4 432 … 432 436 434 433 433 433 … 430
Installation.New installation
(unassisted) – VULA5.6.2.5 354 … 354 357 356 355 355 355 … 352
Installation.New installation
(unassisted) – Raw Fibre5.6.2.6 354 … 354 357 356 355 355 355 … 352
… … … … … … … … … … … …
2020© Axon Partners Group 37
Remove fully depreciated assets?: Yes
Percentage of fully depreciated assets: 50%
Annualisation methodology: Economic Depreciation
WACC: 4,54%
Risk premium: 2,00%
Consider productivity factor?: Yes
Please note that the results included in the sections below have been calculated
based on the confidential inputs and, thus, will differ from the ones included in
the anonymised version of the model shared in this 1st consultation.
3.3.1 Wholesale copper access
The following exhibit illustrates the unit costs of the main wholesale copper access services
from 2018 until 202510:
10 The exhibit presents results for the period from 2018 to 2025, however the model calculates the costs from
2005 until 2038.
2020© Axon Partners Group 38
Exhibit 3.19: Unit costs for the main wholesale copper access services [Source: Excel Model]
It should be noted that the slight increase in the unit costs of these services is driven by
the asset cost trends introduced in the worksheet ‘1B INP UNIT COSTS’. If these were set
to zero, a fully flat unit cost per line would be obtained from the Excel Model.
Question 16: Do you agree with the results obtained for the wholesale copper access
services?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.3.2 Wholesale fibre access
The following exhibit illustrates the unit costs of the main wholesale fibre access services
from 2018 until 202511:
11 The exhibit presents results for the period from 2018 to 2025, however the model calculates the costs from
2005 until 2038.
-
200
400
600
800
1.000
1.200D
KK
/li
ne/
year
VULA Copper (POI0) VULA Copper (POI1) Raw Copper
2020© Axon Partners Group 39
Exhibit 3.20: Unit costs for the main wholesale fibre access services [Source: Excel Model]
It should be noted that the slight increase in the unit costs of these services is driven by
the asset cost trends introduced in the worksheet ‘1B INP UNIT COSTS’. If these were set
to zero, a fully flat unit cost per line would be obtained from the Excel Model.
Question 17: Do you agree with the results obtained for the wholesale fibre access
services?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.3.3 Wholesale coax access
The following exhibit illustrates the unit costs of the main wholesale coax access service
from 2018 until 202512:
12 The exhibit presents results for the period from 2018 to 2025, however the model calculates the costs from
2005 until 2038.
-
200
400
600
800
1.000
1.200
1.400
1.600
DK
K/
lin
e/
year
Raw fibre access (POI0) Raw fibre access (POI1) VULA fibre access (POI1)
2020© Axon Partners Group 40
Exhibit 3.21: Unit costs for the main wholesale coax access service [Source: Excel Model]
It should be noted that the slight increase in the unit costs of this service is driven by the
asset cost trends introduced in the worksheet ‘1B INP UNIT COSTS’. If these were set to
zero, a fully flat unit cost per line would be obtained from the Excel Model.
Question 18: Do you agree with the results obtained for the wholesale coax access
services?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
3.3.4 Wholesale BSA
The following exhibit illustrates the unit costs of the main wholesale BSA services from
2018 until 202513:
13 The exhibit presents results for the period from 2018 to 2025, however the model calculates the costs from
2005 until 2038.
-
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800D
KK
/li
ne/
year
BSA Coax Access (POI2/POI3)
2020© Axon Partners Group 41
Exhibit 3.22: Unit costs for wholesale BSA services calculated in the model14 [Source: DBA’s draft
BULRIC Model for Fixed Networks]
Question 19: Do you agree that the unit costs for wholesale BSA services calculated in
the model are representative of the costs borne by the modelled operator in the provision
of these services? Please explain your views and support any comment with information
and evidence.
3.3.5 Other recurring services
Question 20: Do you agree with the results obtained for the other recurring services
presented in worksheet ‘8A RESULTS SERV’?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
14 Note that the figures included in this slide include the access costs of the service.
-
500
1.000
1.500
2.000
2.500D
KK
/li
ne/
year
BSA Copper broadband - POI2 BSA Copper broadband - POI3BSA Fibre (PTP) broadband - POI2 BSA Fibre (PTP) broadband - POI3BSA Coax broadband - POI2 BSA Coax broadband - POI3
2020© Axon Partners Group 42
3.3.6 Ancillary services
The unit costs of the ancillary services considered in the model are presented in worksheet
‘8B RESULTS ANC SERV’. Given the high number of ancillary services included in the Excel
model, their results are not reproduced here.
Question 21: Do you agree with the results obtained for the ancillary services?
If you don’t agree, please justify your position and provide supporting information and
references.
2020© Axon Partners Group 43
4. Template to comment
In order to participate in this consultation process, stakeholders have to provide their
comments through the template included below. While stakeholders may, at their will,
provide comments beyond the scope of this table, DBA will give priority to the feedback
provided under the scope of the template below:
# Category Question Position (Agree / Partially
Agree / Disagree) Comments and justifications
1 Inputs
Do you agree with the demand
considered for the modelled
operator?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
2 Inputs
Do you agree with the coverage
levels considered for copper,
fibre and coax access
networks?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
3 Inputs
Do you agree with the
broadband traffic inputs
considered to characterize
traffic requirements?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
4 Inputs
Do you agree with the access
network topology considered
and its representativeness of
the realities of the modelled
operator?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
5 Inputs
Do you agree with the access
network inputs considered and
their representativeness of the
realities of the modelled
operator? If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
6 Inputs
Do you agree with the
transmission network topology
considered and its
representativeness of the
realities of the modelled
operator?
2020© Axon Partners Group 44
# Category Question Position (Agree / Partially
Agree / Disagree) Comments and justifications
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
7 Inputs
Do you agree with the
transmission network inputs
considered and their
representativeness of the
realities of the modelled
operator? If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
8 Inputs
Do you agree with the unit
costs and useful lives
introduced in the worksheet ‘1F
INP UNITARY COSTS’ of the
Excel Model?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
9 Inputs
Do you agree with the non-
network overheads considered
for the modelled operator?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
10 Inputs
Do you agree with the fact that
it may not be possible to
extract the actual percentage of
fully depreciated assets from
the modelled operator’s
financials due to the reasons
explained? In this case, which
percentage (30%, 40%, 50%
or 60%) do you think that
would better reflect the status
of the modelled operator’s
network?
Given the relevance of this
input, stakeholders are highly
advised to support their
suggested percentage with
thorough analyses based on
actual data whenever possible.
11 Inputs
Do you agree with the
consideration that the copper
access network will be shut
down around 2030?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
12 Inputs
What approach do you believe
should be adopted in the Excel
Model to recover the capital
costs of the copper access
network when it is switched off
2020© Axon Partners Group 45
# Category Question Position (Agree / Partially
Agree / Disagree) Comments and justifications
before the end of the modelling
period?
Please support your suggested
approach with analyses,
information and/or references.
13 Inputs
Do you agree with the
remaining inputs of the Excel
model?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
14 Reconciliation
Do you agree with the results
of the reconciliation of the
number of network elements?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
15 Reconciliation
Do you agree with the results
of the reconciliation of the cost
base?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
16 Outputs
Do you agree with the results
obtained for the wholesale
copper access services?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
17 Outputs
Do you agree with the results
obtained for the wholesale fibre
access services?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
18 Outputs
Do you agree with the results
obtained for the wholesale coax
access services?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
19 Outputs
Do you agree that the unit
costs for wholesale BSA
services calculated in the model
are representative of the costs
borne by the modelled operator
in the provision of these
services? Please explain your
views and support any
comment with information and
evidence.
20 Outputs Do you agree with the results
obtained for the other recurring
2020© Axon Partners Group 46
# Category Question Position (Agree / Partially
Agree / Disagree) Comments and justifications
services presented in
worksheet ‘8A RESULTS SERV’?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
21 Outputs
Do you agree with the results
obtained for the ancillary
services?
If you don’t agree, please
justify your position and
provide supporting information
and references.
Exhibit 4.1: Template to respond to this public consultation [Source: DBA]