Communications

Europe - Diverse national application of EU regulation hinders the telecoms market

The European Commission in its annual report on the single European Electronic Communications Market on 25 May highlighted that there are, in its view, "serious obstacles" in relation to the establishment of single European telecoms market. In particular, the report noted the divergence of regulatory approaches, the inconsistent application of remedies and the lack of independence of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) across Member States, which, the Commission has argued, leaves consumers and businesses having to face 27 different markets, rather than benefiting from a coherent single market. The Commission commented that it will be taking "specific targeted measures" in tackling the areas that it has identified and so watch this space for the Commission's next steps in pressuring NRAs to get their houses in order.