Presentations from the UK SPF Cluster 4 Meeting on the 25 November http://www.techuk.org/insights/meeting-notes/item/9810-spf-cluster-4-eecc-and-eu-5g-plan

1. The EU Telecoms Framework Review
25 November 2016
25/11/2016

2. Overview of proposals
• Gigabit Society Communication
• Ambitious goals: upgrade networks, increase deployment and boost investment
• Connectivity and coverage with 100 Mbps DL target
• 5G Action Plan
• Deployment of advanced 5G networks (2020 and 2025 targets)
• Calendar, pioneer bands, trials, cooperation with verticals
• WiFi4EU
• Funding for WiFi hotspots via vouchers for local administrations
• Telco Framework Review: Electronic Communications Code (next slides)
25/11/2016

3. Overview of proposals
• Telco Framework Review: Electronic Communications Code
• Spectrum rules for mobile connectivity and 5G
• Efficient usage
 Balance general authorization and individual rights
 Spectrum sharing and ‘Use it or lose it’
• Build environment for 5G investment with predictability and certainty
 25 year license duration and coordinated timely spectrum authorizations
 Peer review by BEREC for assignment processes, transparent procedures and conditions
 Facilitate small cell deployment
 Renewal and trading/leasing measures
25/11/2016

4. Overview of proposals
• Telco Framework Review: Electronic Communications Code
• Incentivize investment into very high capacity and high speed networks
• Keep and update SMP based regime
• Network access remedies with competitive infrastructure deployment (i.e. duct access)
• NRAs to map network investment
• Promote co-investment and facilitate rural deployment
• Goals and effects
• Aims to achieve predictability and stability
• Harmonizing NRA implementation to avoid too much divergence
25/11/2016

5. Overview of proposals
• Telco Framework Review: Electronic Communications Code
• Electronic Communication Services => 3 Types
• Internet Access Services (IAS)
• Interpersonal Communications Services (ICS): number-based and number-independent
 Possibility for obligations also on number-independent ICS (scope expansion)
 Security provisions cfr. NIS, Emergency Services, Confidentiality (depending on ePrivacy Directive review), Interoperability
• Conveyance of signals (IoT, M2M, broadcast): link to ePrivacy, Accessbility Act, etc.?
• Plus:
• Numbering (option for IoT/M2M)
• End-user rights (simplified contracts)
• Universal service (update, getting rid of legacy devices)
25/11/2016

6. Overview of proposals
• Telco Framework Review: BEREC Regulation
• Different and streamlined governance model (full EC agency)
• Spectrum peer review of NRA’s spectrum assignments
• ‘name and shame’ bad auctions
• RSPG stays as the strategic body with tech expertise
• Double-lock powers on regulatory remedies
• Guidelines and reports (e.g. on need for interoperability on services)
25/11/2016

7. Procedure & Outreach
• Legislative process
• WiFi4EU (regulation):
• Initial discussions in in Parliament (rapporteur Carlos Zorrinho; Portuguese S&D MEP)
• To be fast-tracked in Council (political support at Telco meeting on 2 December – budget TBD)
• 5G Action Plan (communication):
• Not legal file, support instead of full legislative procedure
• Parliament to do report (rapporteur Michal Boni; Polish EPP MEP)
• Electronic Communication Code (directive):
• Main dossier, will take long to finalize (probably not before end of 2017)
• Many aspects, some controversial (spectrum, communication services/OTT regulation)
• Council and Parliament to only start discussions in full beginning 2017 (rapporteur Pilar de Castillo; Spanish EPP MEP)
25/11/2016

8. Procedure & Outreach
• DIGITALEUROPE Meetings with MEPs and Council
• Many one-to-one meetings so far with Members of the European Parliament and Council representatives
• Positive:
• Good proposals on investment and networks
• Big support for Gigabit Society and 5G Action Plan targets
• Negative:
• Spectrum harmonisation: split between Parliament (largely in favour) and Council (opposed to top-down approach)
• Electronic communication services/’OTT debate’: various voices for strong regulation
• BEREC: itself not keen on new role and structure as EC agency
• Mixed: WiFi4EU
• Relatively small initiative, a ‘teaser of Gigabit Society’
• Discussions on budget, balance scope and impact on finance and 5G investment
25/11/2016

9. UK and Brexit consequences
• Commission
• Commissioner Oettinger likely moving to Budget & HR portfolio – successor?
• Council
• Malta and Estonia (and afterward Bulgaria) to be Presidency
• Estonia taking over instead of the UK in second half 2017
• Different weight in negotiations compared to a UK Presidency?
• MEPs
• ITRE (industry) and IMCO (internal market – chair Vicky Ford) to be lead committees
• Calls for UK committee chairs to step down (allocations to be decided in January 2017)
• No UK MEPs as rapporteur or shadow rapporteur on any of the telco files (so far)
• RSPG and BEREC
• Ofcom chairmanship of RSPG?
• Ofcom role within BEREC? Observer status?
25/11/2016