Telecommunications

The provision of communications services and the handling of communications data are subject to extensive regulation, both domestically and also from 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 Member State was previously governed by a common regulatory framework which originally comprised five directives (the Framework), which are:

•
Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 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 the European Parliament and of the Council 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 the European Parliament and of the Council 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 the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services

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