Postal Liberalisation A 1997 Directive on the application of competition rules to the postal service required the opening of the market to competition. Limited services can be reserved for the universal service provider. The first directive provides for common rules in relation to universal postal service reserved services to the universal service provider, tariff principles […]
Category: Regulation
Telephony Regulation
Telecommunication Liberalisation The EU framework for liberalisation and telecommunications commenced in 1990. The role of the communications regulator is to promote and protect competition in the market. The EU policies envisaged that competition would be the primary driver as state monopolies are rolled back. The universal service concept is intended to service remote areas, notwithstanding […]
ComReg
Communications Regulation Background Communications in Ireland has been radically affected by European Union liberalisation rules. Typically communications had been run by State monopolies in the EU. The EU liberalised the markets for electronic communications in 1998. The EU legislation provided for universal service for base telephony and narrowband services. EU deregulation aimed at increasing the […]
ComReg & Post
COMREG Regulation COMREG regulates the postal sector. An Post was established as a public company in 1984. Its sole shareholder is the State. An Post may return or refuse postal packets which do not comply with the terms of its scheme or contains objectionable matter. Providers of postal services must obtain an authorisation. EU regulations […]
ComReg Enforcement
Investigatory Powers COMREG has significant investigation powers. It has wide information gathering powers. It can carry investigations in relation to matters relating to supply, access to electronic telecommunications and networks. It can compile and disseminate information. It can collect, compile, extract and publish information from undertakings relating to the provision of electronic services. COMREG may […]
Regulatory Framework [EU]
Regulatory framework for electronic communications To accompany the opening up of the telecommunications market to competition, the European Union (EU) has adopted a regulatory framework with regard to electronic communications in line with technological progress and market requirements. Framework Directive This ‘framework directive’ seeks primarily to: — strengthen competition in the electronic communications sector; — stimulate […]
Frequency Bands [EU]
Frequency bands for electronic communication Directive 87/372/EEC sets out in general terms the frequency bands to be reserved for a public European cellular digital mobile communications service by 1 January 1991 and calls upon EU countries to make the necessary preparations as quickly as possible. EU legislation, through this series of decisions relating to frequency […]
Broadband [EU]
State aid rules broadband networks These guidelines summarise the principles of the Commission’s policy in applying the State aid rules of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to measures that support the deployment of broadband networks. The purpose of State aid control in the broadband sector is to ensure that public interventions […]