In recent years the electronic communications sector together with the IT sector worked very intensely on two new fundamental technological developments: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV). Both have the potential to completely change the way how networks are built and operated today.

From a regulatory perspective it is important to anticipate the regulatory impact that SDN and NFV will have. Therefore, BEREC held a public expert workshop on "Regulatory implications of SDN and NFV" on 21 January 2016 in Brussels. At this one-day BEREC expert workshop standard development organisations, network operators and vendors presented their views on SDN and NFV with a focus on their regulatory implications.

The workshop was intended to help BEREC in forming its opinion on the topic of SDN/NFV with regard to the Review of the Regulatory Framework which will be communicated to the European Commission.