HomeInsightsBody of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) publishes public consultation on its Work Programme 2020

In March 2019 the incoming Chair 2020, Dan Sjöblom (PTS, Sweden), invited stakeholders to submit their ideas for the Work Programme. During the initial call for inputs, stakeholders, National Regulatory Authorities and BEREC Working Groups proposed 55 new topics. BEREC has considered these topics and concluded that a number of proposals are important. However, it says that it is not feasible to include them in the work programme for next year. BEREC plans to re-evaluate them in the light of the Work Programme outline for 2021 and to include them in the final Work Programme.

In 2020 BEREC says that it will focus primarily on the important, mandatory projects, which cover the five strategic priorities of BEREC. The implications of 5G continue to be a strong focus in the BEREC Work Programme, in particular the impact 5G may have on the ecosystem and consequently on regulation. Net Neutrality will also remain an important focus for BEREC, (see BEREC’s consultation on its Net Neutrality Guidelines above).

BEREC says that its focus on consumer empowerment will continue and the welfare of end users will always be key. Next year BEREC intends to produce guidelines on quality of service parameters, including for disabled end users.

BEREC also aims to develop its understanding on future trends, such as issues concerning digital platform markets, the impact of 5G on regulation, and security issues related to 5G implementation.

This consultation on the BEREC Work Programme will be the first step in BEREC’s Medium Term Strategy, which is set to be reviewed next year. The new BEREC Medium Term Strategy will be the basis for future work programmes from 2021 and beyond. BEREC has therefore included a request for input on what technical, market and regulatory developments will impact on BEREC’s future work.

The incoming BEREC Chair will present the draft Work Programme 2020 during the annual BEREC Stakeholder Forum on 16 October 2019 in Brussels. There will also be a stakeholders’ meeting in which participants will have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the BEREC Chair.

The consultation closes on 7 November 2019. To access the consultation, click here.