EC creates new regulatory groups

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 30 Jul 2002 at 10:04

EUtel? EUcom? EU-name-it we'll-regulate-it.

The European Commission has announced the formation of regulatory bodies to advise on pan-EU radio spectrum policy issues. They will also advise on consistent implementation of EU regulatory policies for electronic communications networks in member states.

The Radio Spectrum Policy Group will seek to harmonise and ensure the efficient use of the radio spectrum among EU Member States and will comprise representatives from those nations, the European Parliament and other industry bodies, both commercial and non-commercial.

Aside from ensuring the same bandwidths are opened up for the same purposes throughout the EU, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group will also give opinions on policy, and regulatory and legislative issues. The group's first meeting is planned for this autumn.

The European Regulators Group will comprise representatives of the Commission along with the heads of national regulatory authorities, such as our own Lord Currie for Ofcom. It could spell interesting times ahead for the UK, as the group is responsible for ensuring the EU Directives for electronic communications networks are applied.

The EU's Directives on such matters leave individual nations to their own devices with regard to monitoring networks, but the UK Government's RIPA (2000) policy is far more intrusive than other EU nations'. There is plenty of scope for friction when it comes into effect next month.