At second public debrifing of the year, which took place yesterday in Brussels, BEREC, chaired by AKOS Director mag. Mark Mišmaš, presented the assessment of the proposal Digital Networks Act, one of the key legislative proposals for the future development of the European electronic communications market. BEREC Chairman, Mr. Marko Mišmaš and the co-chairs of the BEREC Working Groups presented the findings of the European regulators on the proposal, which aims to modernise the regulatory framework for connectivity and digital networks.
BEREC highlighted areas that will have a significant impact on the future development of the telecoms market in the European Union: access regulation, the transition from copper to fibre networks, end-user rights, network resilience, sustainability, internet neutrality, spectrum management, and the role of national regulators in implementing the new framework.
In this context, the Commission welcomed the European Commission's ambition to adapt the European connectivity framework to future needs and to focus it on the development of resilient, sustainable and high quality digital networks. In this context, regulators stress that the future framework must be clear, proportionate and workable, so that it strengthens the internal market for electronic communications in practice and does not create additional regulatory complexity.
AKOS advocates an approach that supports investment in high-capacity networks, promotes innovation, safeguards effective competition and maintains a high level of user protection.
In the context of its consideration of the proposed Digital Network Act, BEREC has prepared a number of issue papers analysing in more detail specific areas of the proposed Digital Network Act. It will publish further thematic papers by the end of June to further contribute its technical and regulatory expertise to the creation of a competitive, innovative and forward-looking digital Europe.
The public briefing also presented other current BEREC activities. These include a public consultation on additional guidance on 5G network slicing to help stakeholders understand the application of Open Internet rules to new 5G services, and a call for input on the forthcoming review of the EU Roaming Regulation.
A particular focus was also placed on ensuring reliable access to emergency communications, in particular in the light of the phasing out of legacy 2G and 3G mobile networks. BEREC recalls that operators, device manufacturers and other stakeholders need to address in a timely manner the risks that certain devices may lose access to emergency calls, including 112, during the technology transition.
