Foilsiú
European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)
Ó An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) represents a revision of the entire EU regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector. It will repeal and replace the Framework Directive, the Authorisation Directive, the Access Directive and the Universal Services Directive.
The electronic communications sector had seen rapid development in the ten years since the previous European regulatory framework was established, including the emergence of Over the Top (OTT) players to challenge the traditional telecommunications market, increased demand for connectivity globally requiring an increase in High Capacity Networks (HCN) and the development of next generation mobile connectivity (such as 5G).
These changes required a review of the legislative framework for the telecommunications sector to make it fit for the digital age and to provide a regulatory landscape in which Europe's electronic communications sector could thrive.
To achieve this, the Code updates the following key areas:
- The end-user rights enjoyed by consumers of electronic communications services in the Union
- The Universal Services regime applicable to electronic communications
- The rules governing the assignment and use of radio spectrum
- The regime governing access to infrastructure obligations on operators deemed to have Significant Market Power
- Expansion of scope of the regulatory framework to include new market players
The new Directive 2018/1972 of 11 December 2018 establishing the EECC entered into force on 20 December 2018. It must be transposed by Member States by 21 December 2020. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is taking the lead in the transposition of this cornerstone file of the European Digital Single Market.
DECC have held four workshops with stakeholders in relation to the EECC. Presentations from these information sessions are below.
OTT Stakeholder Event Presentation Nov 2020
Presentation for the European Electronic Communications Code
Íoslódáil
Industry Seminar EECC Presentation July 2020
Presentation for the European Electronic Communications Code
Íoslódáil
Stakeholder Presentation Dec 2019
Presentation for the European Electronic Communications Code
ÍoslódáilAnyone looking for information on Ireland's transposition of the EECC should email tprd@decc.gov.ie
One key area of change is that of end-user rights. The Code will enhance the protection afforded to end-users in a number of key respects:
- through new information and transparency obligations for providers
- greater protections for end-users when switching internet access services and porting phone numbers
- the application of consumer protection rules to bundled services once they include certain telecommunications elements
- the strengthening of protections for citizens in emergency situations
- specific protections for end-users with disabilities
We have been working to implement the new Code by the end of the year. The transposition process has included extensive and ongoing engagement with relevant key stakeholders, including industry, the Regulator, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, other Government Departments and the European Commission.
In line with our ongoing engagement with interested stakeholders, and to ensure the transposition process continues to be both transparent and effective, we are sharing the draft text below which relates to the end-user rights provisions of the Code.
End User Rights Draft Text
ÍoslódáilThe provisions are provided for information purposes only. Once the full draft text is finalised, we will share it with all interested parties and hold a public consultation in Quarter 1 of 2021.
During this process, all interested parties will be invited to provide written submissions on any aspect of the text, including the end-user rights provisions. Further details of this public consultation will be provided in due course.
Ensuring the regulatory framework as transposed by Ireland is fit for purpose for the next decade is critical. Our objective is to complete the transposition process as soon as practical but, in doing so, must ensure a fully effective and considered legal instrument.
