EU’s telecom regulation requires reform, urges Commission’s director Kloc

Kamila Kloc, the European Commission’s director responsible for the digital decade and connectivity, emphasised the need for a shift in the role of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). This transformation is deemed necessary due to the expanding regulatory duties undertaken by its members in increasingly complex ecosystems.

The EU telecom sector faces a dilemma between stringent regulations and the necessity to invest in infrastructure, according to incumbent operators. However, consumer groups and competitors warn against deregulation, fearing negative impacts on small businesses and higher consumer prices.

The European Commission’s Digital Decade report highlighted the need for reform, but the next EU telecom act has been postponed to the next mandate. Despite this, the Commission has taken several steps in this direction during the current mandate, including initiatives like the 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, and the Gigabit recommendation.

The Commission’s telecom white paper, released in February 2024, suggests a move towards deregulation with less stringent remedies imposed on operators. One proposal is to recommend fewer regulated markets and a single EU-level market. However, the Commission plans to maintain criteria to identify operators with significant market power, allowing regulators to intervene if necessary. These proposals are currently open for consultation with stakeholders.