Case study: Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN), Qatar This case study is a recent example of how a government-funded private company can be used to facilitate the roll-out of passive fibre infrastructure and work with the private sector to reduce infrastructure costs.Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016 17 Chapter 1 Box 1.5: Key lessons: Metroweb • It is possible to create a public–private SPV without direct funding from the government or State-aid or public funds.• Municipalities can play a key role in attracting private-sector investment by reducing bureaucracy and making relevant data available.• A network operator can operate a separate retail arm, enabling it simultaneously to offer wholesale services to other service providers. This approach also allows the SPV to generate income from more than one service provider, helping to meet immediate cash-flow requirements.• SPVs can access commercial financing to fund network expansion, just like any other commercial operator.• Public–private SPVs can be acquired by private investment funds. This arrangement has likely attracted further interest in Metroweb from private operators.Table 1.6: Selected examples of public DBOs Name of public DBO Description Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN) (Qatar)61 A company owned by the government of Qatar with responsibility to roll out passive fibre infrastructure across the country. (See case study below)NBNCo (Australia)62 An SPV (NBNCo) was created to leverage Telstra’s infrastructure to address rural and urban needs.Asturcon (Spain)63 A 100 per cent public-owned and public-run network in an area requiring economic regeneration, Asturcon has attracted a national operator (Orange).Stokab (Sweden)64 A municipality-owned, city-based dark-fibre meshed network.Midtsoenderjylland (Denmark)65 A municipality-owned investment in fibre connectivity between city halls to provide FTTH, in partnership with the local electricity company.Piemonte (Italy)66 Piemonte is managed by a public ICT administration organization investing in multiple infrastructures to stimulate private investment.Alto Adige (Italy)67 Alto Adige is managed by a local council to provide wireless connections to homes and fibre connections to the public sector and businesses.RAIN (Lithuania)68 RAIN is managed by a non-profit public enterprise investing in a nationwide backhaul/core network.Source: Analysys Mason, 2015