Digital Markets
The Digital Markets Working Group (DM WG) is putting efforts in fostering independent, consistent and high-quality regulation of electronic communications services and digital markets. A relevant part of work contributes to supporting fairer, more open and contestable digital markets by providing advice and applying experience to the set-up of the current and future regulation of digital platforms. In all aspects, the DM WG of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) is operating to promote sustainable and open digital markets for the benefit of Europe and its citizens.
Working Group Co-chairs
Work in 2025
In 2025, the DM WG will work on related topics, based on the BEREC Work Programme 2025.
BEREC contribution to the implementation of the Data Act
The Data Act will become applicable in September 2025. In the Data Act, independent national competent authorities with experience in Electronic Communications Services are considered to be well-placed to ensure the application and enforcement of specific provisions. Several BEREC members may be designated as the national competent authority responsible for the application and enforcement of (some chapters of) the Data Act, and BEREC’s insights could also be valuable for the preparation of the implementing and delegated acts that the European Commission (EC) is required to adopt under this regulation.
BEREC’s contribution would be particularly relevant, for instance, in relation to switching between data processing services (such as cloud and edge services), the monitoring of switching charges, interoperability, or complaints handling, Internet of Things and more generally concerning the impact of such services and the Data Act obligations on the telecommunications sector. The contribution could take different forms (opinions, workshops, knowledge-building, exchange of best practices, reports, etc.) and will be adapted to the legislative timing and process.
BEREC contribution to the implementation of the Digital Markets Act
BEREC’s contribution to the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) may take different forms, e.g. bilateral exchanges with the EC, opinion on the interoperability reference offers under Article 7 of the DMA, contribution to the High-Level Group (HLG) meetings and the HLG subgroups.
Moreover, BEREC will keep monitoring and analysing developments in the digital markets and the impact and effects of the practices implemented by large online platforms. Special attention will be paid to those practices which may not be addressed/covered by the current legislations/legislative initiatives.
Submarine cables connectivity in Europe
The EC’s recent Recommendation on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures highlights the importance of knowing and enhancing the security, resilience, and capacity of Europe's submarine cable networks, as these infrastructures are not only critical to the European economies and digital sovereignty but are also vital for ensuring seamless international connectivity and digital inclusiveness across the continent.
BEREC plans to support the EC in the context of this topic, relying on its experience in the ex-ante regulation of domestic submarine cables and its participation in other relevant networks, such as REGULATEL and EMERG. Building on the BEREC expertise, the contribution aims to:
- cooperate with the EC in its study by providing inputs on specific topics e.g. a detailed analysis of the level of congestion, competition and resiliency of the routes per area;
- prepare a report on the economic regulatory regime of the domestic submarine cables in the different Member States;
- organise workshops/meetings in collaboration with REGULATEL, EMERG and other regulators’ networks or stakeholders to share knowledge and experience and to receive diverse input on submarine cable challenges.
BEREC contribution on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the competition dynamics, internet openness and end-users’ rights
Why is this important?
In recent years, digital platforms have increasingly become key actors in the European economy, by supporting economic and social interaction, as well as citizen participation and bringing important benefits in terms of innovation, end-user choice and a wide range of efficiencies. However, given some economic specificities (such as networks effects and economies of scale and scope) and the fact that they provide an ecosystem of services and products, large digital platforms have the possibility and may have the incentive to engage in unfair practices, that can undermine contestability and negatively impact businesses and end-users.
To tackle the aforementioned issues, a range of regulation targeting the digital markets and services came recently into force: the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Data Act (DA), the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), among others. BEREC has actively contributed to the discussions which shaped these legislations and is now playing a role in the implementation of some of them. For instance, BEREC is assisting the European Commission in the implementation of the DMA obligation imposing the interoperability of the gatekeepers’ messaging services (Article 7 DMA).
Published documents
| Document Number | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| BoR (25) 21 | BEREC Opinion on Meta’s reference offers to facilitate Messenger and WhatsApp interoperability under Article 7 of the Digital Markets Act |