In recent decades, EU actions in electronic communications field has led to greater consumer choice, falling phone bills and higher standards of service. These are the main laws and actions related to electronic communications:
- A sound regulatory framework for electronic communications, promoting competition and consumer rights. The European Electronic Communications Code (which will need to be transposed into national law by 21 December 2020) and the BEREC regulation (both entered into force 20 December 2018);
- Promoting investment in broadband networks to turn Europe into a Gigabit Society;
- Supporting wireless technologies, such as 5G and LTE, through the radio spectrum policy programme;
- Protecting mobile users from high roaming charges when travelling in the EU and introducing a price cap for Intra-EU communications;
- Taking a leading role in international discussions on Internet development and governance.
The European Electronic Communications Code Directive's (the Code) main provisions are:
- Clear and inclusive rules: the same rules will apply all over Europe with a vision of an inclusive single market;
- Higher quality of services: the Code will foster competition for investments, in particular in next generation networks - 5G, meaning higher connection speeds and higher coverage;
- Competitive prices: by multiplying the offers available and bringing more capacity, the prices are expected to go down;
- Consumer protection: the Code proposes a regulatory approach which allows all actors, from traditional telecom operators to online players, to provide interpersonal communication services with the same level of protection for the end-user. That means that, 'electronic communications services' will also cover services provided over the internet such as messaging apps and email (also known as 'over-the-top' or 'OTT' services.
The BEREC regulation reinforces the role of national regulators to ensure consistent and predictable application of the rules throughout the Digital Single Market.
Directives 2002/19/EC, 2002/20/EC, 2002/21/EC, 2002/22/EC, are repealed with effect from 21 December 2020.
References:
The actual framework:
- The Framework Directive is based on the Framework Directive 2002/21/EC and the Better Regulation Directive 2009/140/EC.
- The Access Directive is based on the Access Directive 2002/19/EC and the Better Regulation Directive 2009/140/EC.
- The Authorisation Directive is based on the Authorisation Directive 2002/20/EC and the Better Regulation Directive 2009/140/EC.
- The Universal Service Directive is based on the Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC and the Citizens' Rights Directive 2009/136/EC.
- The Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications is based on the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications 2002/58/EC, the Amending Directive 2006/24/EC and the Citizens' Rights Directive 2009/136/EC.
- The Regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks.
- The BEREC Regulation.
The framework as from 21 December 2020:
- The European Electronic Communications Code.
- The BEREC Regulation.
- The Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications is based on the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications 2002/58/EC, and the Citizens' Rights Directive 2009/136/EC.
- The Regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks.
Other documents: