Fixed network or mobile phone calls, broadband net or wireless surfing via broadband and other new applications offered by way of glass fiber networks: these are just a few examples of electronic communications which have a crucial role in our society and have become almost indispensable in modern economies.

In 2003, the legal conditions for electronic communications services were set forth in the "common regulatory framework for electronic communications network" and since then assumed a decisively European character.   

The framework has been regularly revised – such as in 2008 – in order to comply with technological modifications. The specification of the conditions under which providers may access the networks of competitors constitutes the latest challenge to the EU framework. On the one hand, such access conditions might promote competition; yet, on the other hand, they bear the risk of lowering investments into setting up new networks which should be avoided.

New:

• CEP Analysis: Regionalization of Regulation in the Field of Telecommunications

2011:

• EU-wide Roaming: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2011) 402
• Data Retention: Report COM(2011) 225
• Project Bonds: Consultation Paper of 28 February 2011

2010:

• Digital Agenda: Communication COM(2010) 245

2009:

• State Aid for the Deployment of Broadband Networks: Guidelines

2008:

• Future networks and the internet: Communication COM(2008) 594

So far, only a limited number of our policy briefs are available in English. Please contact us for more information.

2008:

• Amendment of a common regulatory framework for electronic communications: Proposal for a Directive COM(2008) 724 (in German only)
• Roaming on public mobile telephone networks within the Community: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2008) 580 (in German only)
• Common regulatory framework for electronic communications: Report of the European Parliament (in German only)

2007:

• Establishing the European electronic communications market authority: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2007) 699 (in German only)
• New common regulatory framework for electronic communications: Proposal for a Directive COM(2007) 697 (in German only)
• Amendment of a common regulatory framework for electronic communications: CEP legal opinion (in German only)

• Roaming on public mobile networks within the Community: Proposal for a Regulation COM(2006) 382 (in German only)

Here you will be directed to an overview of our policy briefs