BEREC is providing guidelines to help ensure consistent regulatory application of the EECC regarding the deployment of VHCN. BEREC will continue this work with the aim of creating regulatory stability and predictability for the benefit of investments (private and public) in VHCN. BEREC will also address other issues that may encourage investment and roll-out of VHCN across Europe, such as access to ducts and infrastructure.

BEREC is also finalising the guidelines on new instruments to promote connectivity on the fixed network side (e.g. roll-out of fibre networks) and to monitor the implementation of these guidelines, which NRAs are obliged to take into account. The drafting and implementation are one of BEREC’s core tasks assigned by the 2018 BEREC Regulation. With these new guidelines, BEREC is contributing to the consistent application of the new regulatory tools, such as co-investment, symmetric regulation, wholesale-only operators etc., by NRAs when taking national decisions.

BEREC will also continue, within the scope of its competence, to follow the development of 5G actively and closely. Fixed network coverage and access options will influence 5G, as high-capacity quality fibre backhaul availability is necessary for the deployment of the new standard. Thus, wholesale access to fibre backhaul connectivity of cell sites needs to be ensured (and regulated, if appropriate) to prevent potential problems in terms of lack of coverage and refusal of access to bottleneck facilities. Duct and pole access and dark fibre may also become increasingly relevant.

Regarding security, BEREC can play an important role in the implementation of the 5G cybersecurity recommendation (Commission Recommendation on Cybersecurity of 5G networks C(2019) 2335), in cooperation with ENISA and the NIS cooperation group. Following this recommendation, BEREC’s role includes information and experience sharing on electronic communications market matters among its members, participants and other relevant bodies, and assisting in the toolbox development process as mandated in preamble 24 of the cybersecurity recommendation. Furthermore, BEREC is responsible for acquiring and reporting market impact information in any of the measures to be implemented concerning 5G cybersecurity to the NIS CG.

Further to promoting the fibre and 5G roll-out, BEREC will contribute, through cooperation with the competent bodies, to ensuring that future network technologies meet their connectivity targets in line with European values and interests (security, protection of the end-user, environmental challenges etc.).

Additionally, BEREC will continue to monitor the development of connectivity technologies that may emerge to serve multiple digital needs (for instance the evolution in the internet of things ecosystem).

BEREC will prioritise 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.

The open internet is considered an important building block in the current EU telecom rules, as it guarantees, through specific obligations on the telecom operators, an open internet for the benefit of end-users. This enables innovation without permission by internet users. With the upcoming roll-out of 5G, BEREC will have an important role in contributing to continued, predictable and consistent application of the open internet regulation.

Concerning the digital economy, the use of big data and algorithms has great potential but could also increase the risk of some companies becoming dominant. Issues of potential monopolies, dominance and bottlenecks have been highlighted as some of the digital priorities of the EC. Furthermore, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) promises to improve the quality of life, safety and prosperity of European citizens. AI and connected and automated mobility are equally among the digital priorities of the EC and likely to be considered in the forthcoming Digital Services Act. BEREC may investigate data-centric approaches and data-driven regulation principles as to their ability to achieve regulatory targets while empowering end-users.

In this aspect, BEREC and its constituent NRAs have expertise, such as integrating technological, economic, legal, and user protection perspectives in the design and practice of regulatory remedies (such as interoperability), as well as experience in coordinating the application of a common EU legislative approach to take account of both national and pan-European perspectives in electronic communications markets. BEREC will continue to build its knowledge base within the digital economy to make sure that technological, economic, legal, and user protection perspectives are integrated in the design and practice of regulation.

Engaging consumers in the fast-evolving digital ecosystem is becoming more complex. While digital innovation and competition among digital service providers has improved consumer empowerment, there is still an important role for regulators to play in ensuring a certain level of consumer transparency and digital skills.

The promotion of full connectivity will enable the demand for high-quality services on the part of consumers, provided by the very high capacity networks whose development is a key priority in creating positive interactions.

BEREC will continue its work in promoting choice and empowerment for end-users by prioritising work to build trust in ICT and digital services, and to enable and result in better informed choices by consumers.

BEREC’s approach to empowering end-users is based on two pillars: monitoring of the sector and the appropriate level of transparency. As part of monitoring the functioning of the EECC, BEREC will also monitor new end-user provisions such as the information provision requirements, including the contract summary template, and will provide input to the EC regarding the review of end-user rights. In terms of transparency, BEREC will also continue its work towards greater involvement of stakeholders, including consumer representatives, and publish its work in compliance with the BEREC regulation.

As part of its work on transparency, BEREC will build its knowledge base on AI and explore ways to safeguard consumers against potential risks.

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Cooperation with EU institutions and international organisations is becoming increasingly important for BEREC in order to deal with issues relating to global and borderless digital markets at a time when issues often span across established regulatory boundaries. BEREC is hence increasing its efforts to reach out and engage in dialogue with NRAs beyond the EU, with networks and institutions working on regulation and electronic communication and policymakers, and establish working arrangements where relevant.