The 25th plenary meeting of the European Regulators Group (ERG) was held on 29 and 30 May 2008 in Vilnius, Lithuania, reaching various conclusions with respect to the key elements for the strengthening of the single European market for electronic communications, in particular regarding international roaming, mobile termination rates, geographical segmentation of the markets and spectrum.
As far as international roaming is concerned, recent ERG data indicates a need to widen the regulation of voice roaming and consider new measures which limit excesses, particular with respect to the short message service (SMS). The group decided to send its opinion to the European Commission (EC) and to the European Parliament (EP).
With respect to mobile termination rates, the ERG determined that it would continue to work towards the reproduction, over the next three years, of the successes achieved in this respect.
With respect to geographical segmentation of the markets, the group approved a draft common position on geographical aspects of analysis of markets, which is submitted to public consultation.
The spectrum, considered fundamental for the future development of the sector, continues to be a key component in the review of the regulatory framework, according to the ERG.
Note should also be made of the approval of the ''ERG Report on best practices on regulatory regimes in wholesale unbundled access and bitstream access'' and of the ''ERG Common Position on IP-Interconnection and NGN'', submitted to public consultation.
The General Assembly of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG) was also held in Vilnius, Lithuania on 29 May, presided over by the Hungarian regulator. The General Assembly saw the presentation of reports on the proposals for the new regulatory framework for electronic communications, as well as the new IRG website, developed by ANACOM.
Further information:
- PRESS-International roaming prices show clear evidence for further regulatory action http://berec.europa.eu/doc/whatsnew/erg_08_32_25th_plen_vilnius_%20press_080603.pdf
- European Regulators Group (ERG) http://erg.ec.europa.eu/
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- BEREC - Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=166042
