What is BEREC?

MISSION

”BEREC aims at fostering the independent, consistent and high-quality regulation of digital markets for the benefit of Europe and its citizens.” (BEREC strategy 2021-2025)

BEREC contributes to the development and better functioning of the internal market for electronic communications networks and services. It does so by aiming to ensure a consistent application of the EU regulatory framework and by aiming to promote an effective internal market in the telecoms sector, in order to bring even greater benefits to consumers and businesses alike.

Furthermore, BEREC assists the European Commission and the national regulatory authorities (NRAs) in implementing the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications. It provides advice on request and on its own initiative to the European institutions and complements, at the European level, the regulatory tasks performed by the NRAs at the national level.

The NRAs and the Commission have to take utmost account of any opinion, recommendation, guidelines, advice or regulatory best practice adopted by BEREC.

STRATEGY

The latest BEREC strategy 2021-2025 covers a period of five years, instead of three. This extended period enables better alignment with the legislative cycle of the European Commission, and with the objectives and new priorities set out by President von der Leyen for the period of 2019-2024.

BEREC will plan its multi-annual work around the four general objectives of the European Electronic Communication Code (EECC):

  1. Promoting connectivity and access to, and take-up of, very high capacity networks;
  2. Promoting competition and efficient investment;
  3. Contributing to the development of the internal market;
  4. Promoting the interests of the citizens of the Union.

In the process, BEREC will give special consideration to the three high-level strategic priorities listed below:

  • Promoting full connectivity

BEREC will prioritize work that improves the conditions for the expansion and take-up of secure, competitive and reliable high-capacity networks (both fixed and wireless) across Europe and ensures a smooth transition from legacy infrastructures.

  • Supporting sustainable and open digital markets

BEREC will prioritize work that relates to the functioning of digital markets, namely focusing on exploring conditions and addressing issues regarding digital service providers and end-users in the digital market.

  • Empowering end-users

BEREC will continue its work to promote choice and empowerment for end-users by prioritizing work to build trust in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and digital services and to enable and result in better-informed choices by consumers.

BEREC will revisit its strategic priorities over the course of the period to ensure the relevance and alignment of its strategy with future developments.

ESTABLISHMENT

The legal basis for the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) is set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018. The new Regulation replaces the previous one, Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009, which was part of the Telecoms Reform package.

The Telecoms Reform package has now been replaced by Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018, establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). The EECC establishes a significant number of new tasks for BEREC, such as issuing guidelines on several topics, reporting on technical matters, keeping registers, lists or databases and delivering opinions on internal market procedures for draft national measures on market regulation. Overall, the EECC aims to create an internal market for electronic communications within the EU while ensuring a high level of investment, innovation and consumer protection through enhanced competition.

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