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Information provided in association with Bird & Bird, the Communications Management Association, EURIM, and the National Computing Centre

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Regulatory Framework

Telecoms networks and services are the backbone of Europe’s developing information Society. Individuals, enterprises and public organisations alike have come to rely ever more on convenient, reliable telecoms networks and services.

To improve innovation and increase efficiency in the telecommunications sector, the European Union promotes increased competition through a series of regulatory rules which were introduced in 2002.

The New Regulatory Framework for electronic communications consists of 5 important directives;

Access Directive
Authorisation Directive
Framework Directive
Universal Service Directive
Electronic Privacy Directive

Increased competition has brought new entrants into the telecoms sector throughout Europe and has forced incumbent providers to raise their standards of service and reduce their prices. However, much still remains to be done.

Since 2002, new developments in the telecoms sector have left the current regulatory framework in need of updating.

To take account of the changed sectoral landscape, the Commission launched a review of the current regulatory rules in November 2007. The Commission's proposals for reform have yet to be discussed and approved by the EU's decisional process.

Further reading...

1. List of global telecoms regulators

2. Enhancing Competition in Telecommunications: Protecting and Empowering Consumers | OECD

3. DUCT Sharing (Portuguese example)

Telecoms Policy

Regulators

ICO

Ofcom

OFT

Global Telecoms Regulators

Ofcom Channel

Presentations

Privacy Directive | BERR

Privacy Regulations |

Info. Commissioner

Email Marketing | Beachcrofts


		Table of Statute Laws and Regulations
Key

Measures		Legal Summary	Regulatory Guidance	Member States Implementation	Additional Information
1st Level	2nd Level
ê	ê



	I. New Regulatory Framework

	a. Access and Interconnection

			1. Access (and Interconnection) Directive - 2002/19

			(i) Communications Act 2003
			(ii) Advanced Television Services Regulations 2003
			(iii) Electronic Communications (Market Analysis) Regulations 2003

	b. Authorisation of Networks and Services

			2. Authorisation Directive - 2002/20

			(i) Communications Act 2003
			(ii) Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2003 amended
			(iii) The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Penalties) (Rules for Calculation of Turnover) Order 2003
			(iv) The Telephone Number Exclusion (Domain Names and Internet Addresses) Order 2003

	c. Common Framework

			3. Framework Directive - 2002/21

			(i) Electronic Communications (Market Analysis) Regulations 2003
			(ii) Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003

			Recommendation 2003/311 on relevant product and services markets within the electronic communications sector susceptible to regulation in accordance with the Framework Directive

			Recommendation 2003/561 on notifications, time limits and consultations under Article 7 of the Framework Directive

			Recommendation of the EFTA Surveillance Authority No. 193/04/COL of 14 July 2004 on notifications, time limits and consultations provided for in Article 7 of the Framework Directive

			Recommendation of the EFTA Surveillance Authority No. 194/04/COL of 14 July 2004 on relevant products and service markets within the electronic communications sector susceptible to ex ante regulation in accordance with the Framework Directive

			Regulation EC No 717/2007 on roaming on public mobile networks within the Community and amending Directive 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and service

	d. Universal Service