Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC)

One part of the new EU regulatory framework for electronic communications, the telecoms package approved in 2009, was the establishment of BEREC.

The BEREC Regulation 1211/2009, published two years ago, is available in 23 official EU languages; the English version:

REGULATION (EC) No 1211/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 November 2009 establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Office (Text with EEA relevance); OJEU 18.12.2009 L 337/1

It did not take the governments of the EU member states more than about half a year to agree to establish the BEREC office in Riga (Latvia), or maybe they waited for the transposition date of the telecoms package to pass:

DECISION TAKEN BY COMMON ACCORD BETWEEN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES of 31 May 2010 on the location of the seat of the Office of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) (2010/349/EU); OJEU 23.6.2010 L 156/12

The BEREC office was inaugurated 14 October 2011, so it has been fully operational in Riga for less than three months.

The BEREC website can be described as spartan. Given the area – electronic communications – the absence of an RSS feed comes as a surprise. There is no social media presence (blog, Twitter, Facebook) I am aware of.


Board of Regulators

According to Regulation 1211/2009, BEREC is composed of a Board of Regulators (BoR), with one member from the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) in each member state. (BoR Rules of Procedure)

The NRAs from European Economic Area (EEA) states and from the candidates for EU accession have observer status.

The Regulation 1211/2009 established the office as a Community body with legal personality, with a Management Committee composed of one representative per member state NRA. (MC Rules of Procedure)


National Regulatory Authorities NRAs

In addition to the 27 EU member NRAs, there are observer NRAs from Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The names and links are on offer here.


Digital Agenda & digital single market

At the inauguration ceremony in Riga, Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes outlined the contribution of BEREC and the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in the success of the Digital Agenda for Europe goal of a vibrant digital single market. The crucial tasks she mentioned were roaming, net neutrality, superfast broadband and getting every European digital.


BEREC medium term strategy consultation

BEREC has announced a public consultation, which runs until 16 January 2012. The draft strategy document the stakeholders are invited to comment on is:

Draft BEREC medium term strategy outlook; 14 December 2011 BoR (11) 58 (7 pages)


BEREC Work Programme 2012

The recently published Work Programme for 2012 offers more detail about the coming activities in the short term:

Work Programme 2012 BEREC Board of Regulators; 9 December 2011 BoR (11) 62 (18 pages)



Ralf Grahn

European Parliament versus SOPA and Protect IP Act

If passed, the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) bill debated in the US House of Representatives and its sister, the Protect IP Act (Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011) discussed in the Senate raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of the internet as well as for service providers and businesses, not only in the United States, but globally.

How has the European Union reacted?

I hope that Commission vice president Neelie Kroes, who is in charge of the Digital Agenda for Europe - @NeelieKroesEU on Twitter – responds to the question I tweeted yesterday.

We can record at least one reaction from an EU institution. Ahead of the EU-US summit in Washington DC on 28 November we saw a resolution from the European Parliament (EP).


European Parliament

Based on a joint motion for a resolution, replacing motions by the ECR, ALDE, S&D and PPE groups, on 17 November 2011 the European Parliament adopted a resolution P7_TA(2011)0510 on the EU-US Summit of 28 November 2011. The EP stressed that the imperative of safeguarding freedom and security at home should not be met at the cost of sacrificing core principles relating to civil liberties and the need to uphold common standards on human rights.

Paragraph 26 was more specific:

26. Stresses the need to protect the integrity of the global internet and freedom of communication by refraining from unilateral measures to revoke IP addresses or domain names;

Vikki Chowney on Econsultancy interprets this as a call by the EP for SOPA to be abandoned. So does Edward J. Black in the Huffington Post.

The EU affairs consultant Caroline De Cock - @linotherhino on Twitter – has tweeted on SOPA, including a reference to an article by three professors, Mark Lemley, David S. Levine and David G. Post, in the Stanford Law Review: Don't Break the Internet.

I would expect the EU to monitor and react visibly to such proposed long-arm statutes and jurisdiction. While we wait for the Commission to respond, we can search for statements from the EU and the US administration.



Ralf Grahn

Granada Ministerial Declaration on the European Digital Agenda

Yesterday, we returned to the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the blog post Spain and ICT industry towards Digital Agenda for Europe (2010). The blog post recounted the key themes of the European level trade associations for the information and communication technology businesses:

Industry Partnership Contribution to the Spanish Presidency Digital Europe Strategy - Recommendations of the European Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry to the Spanish Presidency of the European Union


Granada Declaration

The Spanish presidency lent its prestige to the new digital strategy being prepared, by arranging an informal meeting of EU ministers in Granada. The visible outcome of the ministerial meeting was the Granada Declaration:

Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union: Granada Ministerial Declaration on the European Digital Agenda (19 April 2010)

At this point, the communication from the Commission about the Europe 2020 strategy, 3.3.2010 COM(2010) 2020, had already been published.

After recalling the importance and potential of information and communications technologies, the four-page Granada Declaration set a number of guidelines in 29 paragraphs under the following headings:

Infrastructures
Advanced use of the open internet, security and trust
Digital User Rights
Digital Single Market
Public Digital Services
Strengthening the Competitiveness of Europe's ICT sector
International dimension of the Digital Agenda
Measuring progress

The Spanish government (La Moncloa) hailed the informal meeting of EU telecommunications and information society ministers, held from 18 to 20 April 2010 in the Andalusian city of Granada, as the most important event for the Spanish presidency in terms of the information society.

The European Commission issued a memo: Digital Agenda: Kroes welcomes Ministerial support (19 April 2010 MEMO/10/137).

Kroes rated the Granada Declaration as "a milestone, a crucial building block for a truly European Digital Agenda".

She promised that the Ministerial Declaration will be taken into account by the Commission in its forthcoming Communication on a European Digital Agenda, one of the pillars of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (see IP/10/225 about EU2020 communication).

Microsoft Europe, through John Vassallo, issued a statement on the Granada declaration (4 May 2010), where the company encouraged the Commission to seek consistent interoperability practices across industry.



Ralf Grahn

P.S. The Next Web TNW reports that Nokia’s “Sea Ray” Windows Phone prototype emerges in a video. Light at the end of the tunnel for Nokia and Microsoft cooperation in the mobile world?

European eGovernment Action Plan in 22 languages

Into this blog post I have corralled materials from the EU Commission on the eGovernment Action Plan, much of it available in 22 official languages of the European Union.

The European eGovernment Action Plan has now been posted in 22 language versions on the EU's legal portal Eur-Lex.

Here is a link to the English version of the communication from the Commission:

The European eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015: Harnessing ICT to promote smart, sustainable & innovative Government; Brussels 15.12.2010, COM(2010) 743 final (15 pages)


Detailed study SEC(2010) 1539

Those who are interested in the background and more details can access:

The Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the communication The European eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015: Harnessing ICT to promote smart, sustainable & innovative Governmen; Brussels 15.12.2010, SEC(2010) 1539 final (55 pages)


Neelie Kroes speech

At the 'Lift off towards open government' conference in Brussels 15 December 2010, Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes, responsible for the Digital Agenda, presented her view in a speech titled 'My vision for eGovernment, and how to make it real' (SPEECH/10/752; only in English).


Press release overviews

The Commission has published both traditional press releases for those who want an overview as well as an outlines of the background (FAQs):

Digital Agenda: eGovernment Action Plan to smooth access to public services across the EU;
Brussels 15 December 2010, IP/10/1718 (in 22 languages)

Digital Agenda: pilot projects show the way in easy access to online public services across the EU; Brussels 15th December 2010, MEMO/10/680 (only in English)

Digital Agenda: eGovernment Action Plan - what would it do for me? Brussels 15 December 2010, MEMO/10/681 (only in English)

Towards interoperability for European public services; Brussels 16 December 2010, IP/10/1734 (available in 22 languages)

Commission adopts Interoperability Strategy and Framework for public services - frequently asked questions; Brussels 16 December 2010, MEMO/10/689 (the FAQs available only in English)


EIS and EIF

Two key concepts are the European Interoperability Strategy (EIS) and the European Interoperability Framework (EIF).



Ralf Grahn



P.S. The exotically named Mökkikunta blog covers environmental, transportation, urban and regional planning, economic and social issues with a focus on Finland and Portugal. Who succeeds in telling us what ”Mökkikunta” means?

EU progress report on single European electronic communications market

In the context of the Europe 2020 strategy and the Digital Agenda for Europe, the European Commission has published its annual report (for 2009) on the progress towards a single European electronic communications market:




PROGRESS REPORT ON THE SINGLE EUROPEAN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS MARKET 2009 (15TH REPORT); Brussels, 25.5.2010 COM(2010)253 final (17 pages)



The report is available in Spanish, Czech, German, English, French, Latvian, Maltese, Portuguese, Slovenian and Swedish (10 out of 23 EU languages).

Two short excerpts:

This Communication reports on market and regulatory developments in the EU’s electronic communications sector in 2009.


Consumers and businesses are still faced with 27 different markets and are thus not able to take advantage of the economic potential of a single market.

After analysis of market developments, the regulatory environment and consumer issues, the report reaches the following conclusions:

To move closer to a true single market, it is vital to step up efforts to address the issues identified in this Communication. The Commission will continue to closely monitor market developments so that problems can be tackled swiftly. In line with the Digital Agenda and the measures it outlines on spectrum, universal service, the regulatory treatment of NGAs [next generation access networks] and privacy, the Commission will also take a number of targeted measures:

(1) to address the divergences in regulatory approaches and the lack of timely and effective enforcement of remedies;

(2) to lay solid foundations for a correct and timely implementation of the revised regulatory framework and;

(3) to ensure an effectively functioning Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).

These measures will in turn strengthen competition for the benefit of consumers and ensure that operators function in an environment which allows them to adapt their business models to new realities.

A press release from the Commission, available in 19 languages, offers an overview of the findings, and it hammers in the message that consumers and businesses still face 27 fragmented national markets: Telecoms: citizens and businesses pay the price for inconsistent application of EU rules (25 May 2010; IP/10/602).




The Commission has also released an explanatory summary: Telecoms: citizens and businesses pay the price for inconsistent application of EU rules - country by country breakdown of 15th Progress Report on European Telecoms Market 2009 and glossary (25 May 2010; MEMO/10/211).




The material can also be accessed from the Commission’s (Information society) thematic page.




Additional materials include the Staff working document SEC(2010) 630 (two parts; not yet on Eur-Lex under preparatory acts) and excerpts with country chapters.



Neelie Kroes


My impression is that information society commissioner Neelie Kroes continues her no-nonsense approach in searching for the European public good in the same vein as when she headed competition affairs. Consumers and businesses have reasons to wish her success. The obstacles are often found closer to home.




Ralf Grahn

First reactions: Digital Agenda for Europe 2010─2020

After presenting the “raw materials” in Digital Agenda for Europe 2010─2020 (25 May 2010), we turn to the first euroblog reactions we have encountered with regard to this blueprint for the information society in Europe.

On 19 May 2010 the European Commission published:



The Communication from the European Commission: A Digital Agenda for Europe; Brussels, 19.5.2010 COM(2010)245 final (42 pages)



Euroblogs



Datonomy looked at the preceding resolution by the European Parliament in: Wiping the slate clean... (10 May 2010).




Intellectual Property Watch mentioned the digital competitiveness reports, published two days ahead of the Digital Agenda: EU Previews Digital Agenda To 2020 (17 May 2010).





Pirate MEP Christian Engström has asked for contributions from net activists and interested citizens: EU’s Digital Agenda – Request For Comments (19 May 2010).





In a first appraisal, La Quadrature du Net found the Communication generally to be in the public interest, but open standards had suffered a setback and dangers continue to loom with regard to the fundamental freedoms of net users: Caution equired for the future EU Net policies (19 May 2010).



La Quadrature du Net also published a complementing press release: Digital Agenda: Caution equired for the future EU Net policies (press release) (19 May 2010).




Netzpolitik.org, Jörg-Olaf Schäfers, has a brief comment on the absence of an unequivocal commitment to net censorship on grounds of child pornography (in German): 5 + 1 vor elf (EU-Agenda, JMStV, romantische Verkläring, böses Netz)(19 May 2010).



Spreeblick, Simon Columbus, offers critical comments about net censorship aspirations within the Commission and the power of industrial lobbies (in German): Europas digitale Zukunft (19 May 2010).



Erika Mann commented on a related study on markets: Some comments on the EPC report on a Digital Single Market (25 May 2010).




On a lighter note, Julien Frisch compared the rhetoric of Neelie Kroes and Martin Luther King Jr, in: Kroes & King (20 May 2010).




Neelie Kroes



Yesterday, the information society commissioner Neelie Kroes presented the reasons for the Digital Agenda, saying that none of the pressing challenges of our time will be solved without a strong ICT component, referring to the transformative potential of ICTs: Address at ‘World Congress of Information Technology’ Amsterdam 25 May 2010 (SPEECH/10/258).




Kroes spoke at the World Congress of Information Technology (WCIT 2010) in Amsterdam, a huge gathering of business leaders, public officials and opinion leaders. In addition to plenums, the following themes or “tracks” are discussed: Creative industries, eGovernment, eHealth, eInclusion, Energy, Mobility, Security and safety, Sharing space (geo information), Water and Finance.



Bloggingportal.eu




Look out for new posts on the Digital Agenda and various aspects of the information society in Europe on multilingual Bloggingportal.eu, the aggregator of EU facts and opinions.




Ralf Grahn

Digital Agenda for Europe 2010─2020

In the context of the Europe 2020 strategy for jobs and growth, the European Commission has published the Digital Agenda. Instead of a five year plan as earlier, the new version of the Digital Agenda now encompasses the whole decade 2010─2020.

The overall aim of the Digital Agenda is to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits from a digital single market based on fast and ultra fast internet and interoperable applications.

The Communication from the European Commission: A Digital Agenda for Europe; Brussels, 19.5.2010 COM(2010)245 final (42 pages)



The Digital Agenda is available in Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Polish and Portuguese.



For an overview, in 22 languages, you can see the Commission’s press release: Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being (Brussels, 19 May 2010; IP/10/581).



More material is found on the web pages of D-G Information Society, including a detailed ten page summary: Digital Agenda for Europe: key initiatives (Brussels, 19 May 2010; MEMO/10/200).

On the same page, there is also a link to an explanatory memorandum laying out the benefits for EU citizens: Digital Agenda for Europe: what would it do for me? (Brussels, 19 May 2010; MEMO/10/199; 7 pages).


There is a link to Europe’s Digital Competitiveness Report:

Vol. I; Brussels 17.5.2010 SEC(2010) 627 (127 pages)

Vol. II ICT Country profiles; Brussels 17.5.2010 SEC(2010) 627 (68 pages)



Seven priority areas


The Digital Agenda outlines seven priority areas for action:

- creating a Digital Single Market

- improving the framework conditions for interoperability between ICT products and services

- boosting internet trust and security

- guaranteeing the provision of much faster internet access

- encouraging investment in research and development

- enhancing digital literacy, skills and inclusion

- applying ICT to address social challenges such as climate change, rising healthcare costs and the ageing population.

Commissioner Neelie Kroes and the Commission have presented their views on the European information society for the next decade. The Communication offers a starting point for both action and discussion in this area crucial for our future.




Ralf Grahn

Internet and IPR in EP hearings of EU Commissioners: Neelie Kroes

La Quadrature du Net has been active on many fronts, submitting replies to Commission consultations on copyright and the coming EU 2020 strategy as well as distributing questions ahead of the European Parliament’s hearings with various candidate-Commissioners responsible for various issues related to the Internet. There is a press release following up the hearing with Neelie Kroes: Commissioner Kroes commits herself to Net neutrality (15 January 2010).




Europaeum presents the context for the hearing of Neelie Kroes, designated for the European Digital Agenda (in German): Neelie Kroes muss in die Verlängerung, und wir leider draußen bleiben (15 January 2010).



Europaeum linked to Netzpolitik.org where Simon Columbus reported on Kroes’ statements in favour of net neutrality as well as European fundamental rights in the ACTA negotiations, but noted that she was quite cautious on copyright: Neelie Kroes für Netzneutralität, muss aber nachsitzen (15 January 2010).



Swedish blogger Henrik Alexandersson offers a few personal reflections on the hearing of Neelie Kroes, as well as links to EurActiv and Swedish media: Mer om Kroes… (15 January 2010).



Earlier Alexandersson had offered his impressions of the new Commission and the web, with remarks on Neelie Kroes’ replies on ACTA, net neutrality and copyright: Den nya kommissionen och nätet (14 January 2010).




The press service of the European Parliament offers a Summary of the hearing of Neelie Kroes – Digital Agenda (14 January 2010).




Ralf Grahn





P.S. On Stanley’s blog, Stanley Crossick writes expertly on European issues and the growing importance of the EU’s relations with China. Stanley’s blog is one of the more than 500 great euroblogs on steadily growing multilingual Bloggingportal.eu, a useful one-stop-shop for fact, opinion and gossip on European affairs, i.a. politics, policies, communication, economics, finance and law.

Economic crisis: EU state aid overview

The financial sector catastrophy and economic recession have led to enormous pressures on Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and her services.

The Commission has done its best to guide national administrations and EU businesses on the available options and the (changing) limits set to rescue measures, while working on the concrete packages proposed by the member states.

The latest compilation is the press release State aid: Overview of national measures adopted as a response to the financial and economic crisis (22 April 2009, MEMO/09/174), which summarises the guidance (Communications) from the Commission and the decisions adopted with regard to the financial sector and the real economy, as of 22 April 2009.




Ralf Grahn