Title: 
''ECTA Regulatory Scorecard 2007 updated''http://www.ectaportal.com/en/upload/File/Regulatory%20Scorecards/2007/Methodology%20Scorecard%202007.zip (latest update - February 2008)
''Annexes to the Regulatory Scorecard 2007''http://www.ectaportal.com/en/upload/File/Regulatory%20Scorecards/2007/Country%20Reports.zip (latest update - February 2008)
Summary: This report compares the regulatory environment and application of the current regulatory framework for electronic communications in nineteen European countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Sweden. This year's edition is based on the responses given to ECTA's questionnaire.
The report highlights the fact that the powers and independence of National Regulatory Authorities have in many cases been restricted and their ability to enforce rules under the EU Telecoms Framework has been compromised. The report also finds that regulators are not keeping up with the new issues raised by the sector's evolution and the implementation of new technologies - especially with regard to networks. This situation could have negative implications for competition in the communications sector.
Finally the report considers that, in the context of the current review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications, the powers of the national regulators need to be strengthened and it supports a greater role for the European Regulators Group (ERG) and, if necessary, the creation of a regulatory authority at this level, but with a mandate that does not supersede or replace the experience of the national regulators.
Author: ECTA - European Competitive Telecommunications Association
Date: November 2007
