Press release - BEREC Work Programme 2024 launched for public consultation

BEREC is committed to an open-door policy and values stakeholder engagement to gain a broader perspective in its work. Today, at the BEREC public debriefing, the BEREC Chair Kostas Masselos (EETT, Greece), together with the incoming BEREC Chair, Tonko Obuljen (HAKOM, Croatia), alongside working group Co-chairs, presented the outcomes of the latest Board of Regulators ordinary meeting and promoted multiple public consultations, including the draft BEREC Work Programme 2024. 

BEREC Work Programme 2024
During the coming year, BEREC will continue to focus on achieving its goals in the context of Europe's digital transformation by 2030. The draft work plan stems from BEREC’s strategic priorities, which are promoting full connectivity, supporting sustainable and open digital markets, and empowering end users. BEREC will also  focus on strengthening its monitoring and comprehension of emerging technologies in preparation for future developments as well as monitoring how regulatory mechanisms provided by the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)  work in practice. Next year, BEREC aims to start reviewing three strategic documents in order to set objectives for 2026-2030, taking into account the relevant market, technological, and regulatory developments over the next 5 years.
BEREC holds two public consultations on its work programme each year. During the first call for inputs in the spring, stakeholders are invited to submit their proposals for the topics to be included in the work programme. In the autumn, until 3 November this year, stakeholders can provide their views on the draft document before it is finalised and adopted at the last ordinary meeting in December.

Accessible and adequate broadband for all
In the digital age, reliable access to broadband internet is crucial for individuals to be able to participate fully in online activities. Since 2020, data speed definitions have evolved significantly in Member States. The most common minimum download speed is 10 Mbps, but some countries are either considering or have already defined 30 Mbps as the minimum download speed. According to the EECC, EU Member States must determine adequate broadband internet access based on national conditions and the minimum bandwidth most consumers enjoy. This is in line with the best practices highlighted in the draft BEREC report that is launched today for public consultation, open until 10 November 2023.

Reviewed BEREC guidelines for Quality of Service parameters
Supply time for connection, voice connection quality, fault rate per access time and repair time are only a few of the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters set out in the BEREC Guidelines issued in 2020. These guidelines are subject to review every 2 years, as mandated by the EECC. BEREC is conducting a public consultation on the reviewed guidelines for QoS parameters, and stakeholders are invited to submit their contributions by 10 November 2023.

Secure 5G networks
Focusing on 5G network deployment status, 5G security risks and the equipment replacement cycle, BEREC, in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the European Commission and the Network and Information Systems Cooperation Group (NIS CG), conducted a survey to gain deeper insights into the present status of resilience and security in electronic communications infrastructures and networks within the EU and other non-EU countries that participated in the survey. Additionally, this initiative aimed to identify potential areas that may warrant increased focus in the future. During the public debriefing, BEREC presented a report on the security of 5G networks, which showed that the rollout of 5G is still in its early phase, particularly in standalone mode and slicing. The report highlights the identified high risk factors and the plans for the 5G networks deployments.  The report also covers information about equipment replacement costs. 

BEREC-EAPEREG-EMERG-REGULATEL Summit 
On 4 October 2023, a biennial summit of regulatory organisations around the world was held in Madeira, Portugal, just before the BEREC ordinary meeting, bringing together BEREC, EaPeReg (Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network), EMERG (Euro-Mediterranean Regulators Group) and Regulatel (Latin American Forum of Telecommunications Regulators).  The summit provided a valuable opportunity for the regulators to reaffirm their commitment to collaborate on research, innovation and regulatory initiatives within their remit, shaping a sustainable and inclusive digital future that benefits end users. The participants also pledged to work together to improve international connectivity through the utilisation of submarine cables and satellite systems. 

Public documents available online 
A full list of BEREC’s public documents adopted at the 56th ordinary meeting is available on the BEREC website; the presentation and the video recording of the BEREC public debriefing will be available shortly. The 57th BEREC ordinary meeting will take place on 7-8 December 2023 in Poland. The next BEREC public debriefing will be held online in mid-December 2023.