Nätägaren

Nätägaren is a Swedish term meaning the owner of a network. In Sweden, it typically refers to the entity that owns and maintains the physical infrastructure of a network, most commonly the electrical distribution network and, in the telecommunications sector, certain access networks. Nätägaren is usually separate from the entity that sells electricity or provides services to end customers, although in many cases the same corporate group may perform both roles.

The role of the nätägaren is to own and operate the network assets that enable delivery of electricity or telecom services. This includes lines, cables, substations, cabinets and other infrastructure. The nätägaren is responsible for safe operation and reliability of supply, planning expansions and maintenance, and handling access to the network for other operators and customers under regulated terms. Network owners are generally responsible for metering interfaces and for coordinating with system operators to maintain system balance and prevent outages. They set and collect tariffs for grid use, known as nätavgifter, subject to regulatory approval.

Regulation: In Sweden and other liberalized markets, nätägare operate under national laws such as the Electricity Act and related energy and telecom regulations. The regulator in electricity matters is Energimarknadsinspektionen, which oversees network access terms, safety requirements and tariff approval to ensure fair competition and security of supply. In telecommunications, network owners must provide open access to essential facilities according to regulatory rules administered by the national regulator (PTS).

The term emphasizes ownership and responsibility for the underlying infrastructure, rather than the service contracts offered to end users.