Prysmian Group's Edgar Aker appointed as the new President of the FTTH Council Europe

Edgar Aker, Prysmian Group Director Marketing & Business Development Netherlands, has been appointed as the new President of the Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Council Europe, during the General Assembly held in Amsterdam on 22 and 23 April to set the work plan for the coming year.

Created in 2004, the FTTH Council Europe is an industry organisation whose mission is to accelerate the availability of fibre-based, ultra-high-speed access networks for the benefit of consumers and businesses. The Council consists of more than 150 member companies working together to promote the benefits of fibre access across the continent with the aim of delivering a flow of new services that enhance the quality of life, contribute to a better environment and increase economic competitiveness.

Prysmian Group is one of the founding members the European FTTH Council and Edgar Aker has been working in the organisation since 2007 and, since October 2011, has been the Prysmian Group representative in the Board.

Working in the cable industry for 17 years, Edgar has been involved in setting up the broadband initiatives since the first beginning and he helped to strategically realigning his organisation to this new global trend.

On behalf of the whole organisation and in line with Council strategy to accelerate the adoption of FTTH in Europe, Edgar Aker calls for action on decision makers and other stakeholders to create a favourable environment for the roll-out of fibre. In the 2015-2016 period FTTH Council Europe will focus on five main activities: creating a business-friendly environment for fibre, overcoming technology neutrality, discussing new business models to accelerate FTTH roll-out including structural separation, ensuring consumer transparency and letting Member States act as anchor clients.

"We are honoured that FTTH Council Europe's Board has decided to place its trust in Edgar Aker and choose him as President. We have no doubt that he will do a brilliant job in line also with our organisation strategy which aims at supporting all necessary activities to meet the EU Digital Agenda 2020 targets" states Philippe Vanhille, Prysmian Group Executive Vice President, Telecom Business. "This achievement confirms the commitment of the Group to work for the acceleration of FTTH deployment to enable Europe's future proof telecommunication infrastructures" he adds.

Edgar Aker will occupy this position for the next year.

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