READY TO HARMONISE EUROPE’S ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS

The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has just gained more responsibilities as Europe’s independent harmoniser of electronic communications markets. The new European telecommunications regulatory framework, which came into effect on the 25th of May, provides the Commission with BEREC’s Opinion on the imposition of obligations proposed by a National Regulatory Authority.

Chris Fonteijn, Chairperson of BEREC:

Under the new framework NRA’s have to notify their Market Analysis decisions to BEREC as well as to the Commission and the individual NRAs. In this revised procedure BEREC can review whether the NRA’s draft decision complies with Europe’s best practices as endorsed by the members of BEREC and make comments to the NRA concerned. If the Commission expresses serious doubts in relation to the market definition, the designation of a Significant Market Power (SMP) or the imposition of obligations, BEREC must express its formal Opinion to the Commission.

The new framework also provided BEREC with professional and administrative support through a general office in Latvia, facilitating the decision making of the regulators within BEREC. The office will be officially opened in October. Ando Rehemaa, Administrative manager BERECOffice said today:

Note for the editor:

About BEREC

BEREC is composed of a Board of Regulators consisting of the Heads of the 27 national regulatory authorities (NRAs). BEREC will advise the European Commission and the NRAs, and assist the European Parliament and Council, on issues related to the application of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications. BEREC will help to ensure fair competition and consistency of regulation in the internal market for electronic communications to benefit consumers. In particularly providing expert advice on market definitions, analysis and remedies, definition of transnational markets, cross-border disputes and numbering issues. Furthermore, BEREC will provide expert opinions on emerging challenges such as the promotion of broadband, net neutrality and converging markets, and is ready to play an active role in the discussions in the public domain on these issues.

Contact details:

For more information please contact:

[email protected] Tel +371 6708 5438, Website http://berec.europa.eu