POLICIES :: eCommunications :: Regulatory framework for telecoms in the EU today
Regulatory framework for telecoms in the EU today
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The framework is made up of a package of legal instruments
- Directive (2002/21/EC) on a common regulatory framework
- Directive (2002/19/EC) on access and interconnection
- Directive (2002/20/EC) on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services
- Directive (2002/22/EC) on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services
- Directive (2002/58/EC) on privacy and electronic communications
- Directive (2002/77/EC) on competition in the markets for electronic communications services
- Regulation (2000/2887/EC) on unbundled access to the local loop
The EU legal framework for regulating telecoms services has been developed with the aim of developing a better-functioning internal market for telecommunications networks and services. Last revised in 2002, this framework is currently being updated, to take account of developments in this fast-moving field.
In the Information Society, the boundaries between telephone, internet, television broadcast and mobile phone services are becoming blurred, even irrelevant. Indeed, frontiers between Member States have also lost much of their significance when it comes to these services. The regulatory approach to the different services has also had to converge. In 2002, the European Union adopted a new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, covering all forms of fixed and wireless telecoms, data transmission and broadcasting. The regulation of the content carried by such services is, however, dealt with under separate rules.
In the internal market, telecoms operators and service providers have the right to set up and offer their services throughout the EU. Encouraging and enabling them to take advantage of those rights boosts the overall quality of telecoms services for consumers, and reduces the prices they have to pay for them. The EU’s regulatory framework aims to promote free and fair competition, which will boost Europe’s economy by supporting every area of activity which relies on telecoms, and create a strong telecoms industry in Europe. Consumers will be the ultimate beneficiaries.
Consumer rights
Telecoms services are now a staple of everyday life, and the EU framework ensures that every citizen, no matter where they live, has the opportunity to obtain a basic telephone service capable of both voice and internet use, for a fair price. The development of electronic communications means that a wide range of operators have access to consumers’ private information and/or data about them. The framework includes rules to ensure the privacy of users is properly respected. Moreover, telecoms services suffer increasingly from malicious attacks through spam, spyware and the like, and the EU has agreed measures to combat this.
Open markets
The telecoms sector is still largely dominated by incumbent operators, in most cases former monopolies. In markets recently opened to competition, they inevitably dominate the sector, and so regulators need to ensure that they do not use their position unfairly to squeeze out new competitors. Granted access, many new entrants have demonstrated that they can compete strongly in recent years, raising standards in the sector to the benefit of consumers.
Radio waves
We increasingly want to use wireless communications devices, whether for convenience or to keep up whilst on the move. But the radio spectrum which all such devices use to communicate is crowded. The limited number of available frequencies need to be shared out fairly between many users, ensuring no interference between devices and services. Under the framework, the EU is harmonising spectrum allocation policies between Member States. The switch to digital television broadcasting is freeing up valuable spectrum, enabling new services, such as mobile television to be developed, but coordination at EU level is critical if such services are to develop effectively.
Broadcasting
The past decade or two has seen a revolution in television and radio broadcasting. Where once choices were restricted to a small number of channels received on a dedicated box, viewers and listeners today often have difficulty managing the wealth of channels available. Delivery routes have multiplied, and computers and even mobile phones are increasingly used to view or listen to broadcasts. EU action in this field is encouraging rapid switchover to digital television and take-up of mobile television.