Evolution of physical network components
The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) aims to keep track of the evolution of different physical network components and their interrelation, in order to identify trends and analyse their potential impact for consumers and markets and potential regulatory challenges and options.
End User devices
Decades ago ‘mobile’ or ‘wireless’ devices were considered a specific category, different from stand-alone equipment or equipment that was connected to telecommunication networks by wires. Wireless connectivity is not only a commodity for smartphones and tablets: nowadays almost every electronic device, varying from very small and cheap Internet of Things sensors, to large domestic or industrial equipment, has one or more wireless interfaces, capable of directly or indirectly connecting the internet via Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), mobile networks or other protocols. The capabilities of the end user devices and the way they are used by consumers and business users are constantly changing and evolving, and are reflected in the requirements of different wireless network technologies and deployments.
Access Networks
The part of the mobile or fixed network closest to the user or end user device is called the Access Network. BEREC’s interest lies primarily in the evolution of mobile access networks, but is not limited to terrestrial mobile networks, as many wireless devices also interconnect with the fixed network (for instance via WiFi), and a growing number of wireless devices are capable of communicating via satellite.
Topics of interest in this area are trends in network sharing and infrastructure sharing (with standards developments such as open interfaces in the Radio Access Networks, e.g. OpenRAN). But they also include developments in antenna technology such as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), distributed antenna systems, and the organisation of antenna sites and cell structures including the need for more and smaller cells using higher radio frequency bands and solutions for indoor connectivity. The changing market landscape with potential different players providing backhaul connections from networks to antenna sites, fronthaul connections from antenna sites to the actual antennas and different forms of infrastructure sharing or frequency sharing make this a very interesting area to follow.
Satellite communication
Satellite communication has been an important means for long distance backhaul communication, or for communication with special devices in very remote areas. The world of satellite communication was until now rather separated from the world of wireless and mobile networks and used specific devices and protocols. The only direct relation was the use of satellite communication as a backhaul connection for mobile networks, for instance on an island.
However, this is rapidly changing. Direct to satellite communication capabilities are now built in newer smartphones, for instance to be able to connect to emergency services in areas with no mobile coverage.
With the introduction of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and direct-to-device satellite communication capabilities on newer smartphones, satellite communication can complement terrestrial mobile communication networks in rural areas and even provide broadband connectivity. However, growing technical capabilities in satellite communication may in the future lead to competition issues and regulatory challenges.
BEREC’s standpoint
BEREC’s aim is to ensure consumer rights and to foster choice, quality and price of different telecom services. BEREC aims for good functioning telecom markets with room for competition, innovation and sustainability.