Telecom ‘police’ briefed ahead of new regulations

Date: 07/03/02

By Peter Chapman

TELECOM regulators were told this week by the European Commission how they should police markets when new EU laws come into force next year.

Among the instructions previewed by Union officials was a new recommendation on 'relevant markets and services' - to allow regulators to act preemptively to ensure a level playing field for competitors.

The Commission's views are a vital part of the EU's new slimline telecoms regime for the 21st century.

The Union executive won a veto over any national decisions that harm the single market.

Regulators veering from the 'approved' list must be ready to justify their actions - or see them overturned by Brussels.

'These are recommendations to national regulators on markets that may justify [preemptive] regulation,' said Commission telecoms spokesman Per Haugaard. 'There is a draft on the table and we will probably launch a consultation in April.'

He said the list would include sectors already flagged in the new package of EU telecoms law approved by member states and MEPs in December.

These include provision of retail and wholesale leased lines, access for new entrants to fixed networks of the old monopoly operators, and interconnection to fixed and mobile networks.

Telecom regulators have been told by the European Commission how they should police markets when new EU laws come into force in 2003.