BEREC and its constituent NRAs continue working to ensure that the current regulatory framework, continues to be implemented to benefit European consumers and businesses by balancing the objectives of promoting competition and investment and supporting the internal market. In his opening speech at the 5G Techritory, Europe’s leading 5G discussion platform, the incoming BEREC Chair Robert Mourik (ComReg, Ireland) acknowledged that technological developments, justify an evaluation of the framework and BEREC is ready to contribute to this exercise to ensure that the gains made over the past 20 years to create competitive markets continues to ensure Member State meet their connectivity targets.

He also emphasized that the current global geopolitical situation and Russia’s fully fledged war against Ukraine clearly highlights the increased importance of cybersecurity and resilience of telecom networks and the enabling role that telecom networks can play in the digitization of other sectors to make them more environmentally sustainability. BEREC’s draft work programme for 2025, which is open for public consultation until 4 November includes several projects on these topics.

In his speech, the incoming BEREC Chair addressed the impact of new technologies on the telecommuniations sector and how these must be considered in the review of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) in 2025. He highlighted BEREC’s recent work to assist in identifying key indicators for monitoring the environmental impact and performance of Electronic Communications Networks and Services (ECN/ECSs) and improving data availability and reliability. As part of its commitment for next year, BEREC plans to contribute to future code of conduct on ECN/ECSs sustainability.

Resetting mobile industry structure

Robert Mourik also participated in the panel discussion on 6G - resetting mobile industry structure. During the debate, the incoming BEREC Chair also touched upon BEREC’s ongoing work on the 5G private networks and invited stakeholders to contribute to the public consultation , which is open until 29 November. He highlighted different regulatory practices to facilitate private networks and underlined regulators primary objective to ensure the efficient use of all spectrum bands. In addition, ensuring a properly functioning market with sufficient capacity for niche services that need a specialised or localised approach also creates opportunities for innovation.