Telecoms

Telecoms

The provision of communications services and the handling of communications data are subject to extensive EU legislation. This subtopic contains guidance on EU rules relating to telecoms.

The graphic below provides an overview of the telecommunications and digital regulatory framework which applies in the EU.

The EU regulatory framework for electronic communications

In the EU, the provision of electronic communications networks (ECNs) and electronic communications services (ECSs) in each EU Member State was previously governed by a common regulatory framework which originally comprised five directives (the Framework), which are:

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Directive 2002/21/EC of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services as amended by Directive 2009/140/EC (Framework Directive)
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Directive 2002/20/EC of 7 March 2002 on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services as amended by Directive 2009/140/EC (Authorisation Directive)
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Directive 2002/19/EC of 7 March 2002 on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities as amended by Directive 2009/140/EC (Access Directive)
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Directive 2002/22/EC of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC

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