MASTERING EUROPEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION

Transcription

1 MASTERING EUROPEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION A three day training course October 27-29, 2015 Venue - Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels, Belgium Organised by Cullen International

2 Mastering European telecommunications regulation The training will provide attendees with: a comprehensive overview of regulatory issues and developments in the telecommunications sector, using real-life examples and case studies from the European Union; an insight into the latest developments in the fields of broadband deployment and access regulation, radio spectrum awards including the digital dividend, net neutrality, mobile roaming, privacy, e-payments, carriers liability (mere conduit principle) and universal service; an understanding of key institutional mechanisms, notably the EU legislative process as it relates to the telecoms sector; analysis of the benefits and difficulties of implementing a harmonised approach to regulatory issues in the telecoms sector, including case studies on NGA, regional regulatory bodies and spectrum liberalisation; an historical perspective on European telecoms regulation for participants to gain a clear appreciation of the key regulatory trends. Who should attend and why? The seminar is suitable for: seasoned regulatory experts who have become specialised in a specific regulatory area but who wish to refresh their understanding of the broader range of regulatory issues; regulatory specialists dealing with a specific country who want to become acquainted with broader regulatory developments across Europe; individuals who have recently moved into a regulatory position and wish to acquire a rapid grasp of the key debates; and regulatory experts who wish to reflect on regulatory trends in industry. The seminar is not designed for experts who already have a broad range of regulatory experience please take a look at our specialist seminars. Furthermore, the program will meet the needs of those who want to: gain a clear insight into the main issues of the EU telecoms regulatory framework and other relevant EU legislation; understand how these issues affect their own national regulatory environment; and learn and exchange views on emerging questions faced by the communications industry. The training organiser For over twenty-five years, Cullen International has been tracking, reporting on and benchmarking developments in telecommunications, media, electronic commerce and postal regulation across Europe and beyond. Our service portfolio now includes Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa. We provide comprehensive, neutral, unbiased, timely information that is used by the whole industry. We are widely recognised as the leading regulatory support service provider in the field. Our services consist of a unique range of alerts, reports, benchmarks and enquiry services, that are complemented by our training and consulting services. Our outstanding regulatory database contains over twenty years of source documents linked to expert analysis of events. We are also regularly selected to carry out important research and studies for the European Commission and other organisations and we are frequently sought out to chair or make presentations at industry events. COURSE TIMINGS October 27-29, 2015 Starting at 9:00 am on the first day, and ending at 1:00 pm on the third day (followed by lunch).

3 Mastering European telecommunications regulation Presenters LEAD TRAINER Philippe Defraigne, founding Director at Cullen International, is widely regarded in the industry as a leading thinker on telecommunications regulation in Europe. He is a regular fixture on the conference circuit, frequently speaking at and chairing events in Brussels and beyond. GUEST SPEAKER Alexandre de Streel (University of Namur) is a Professor of Regulation and Competition Law who has published extensively on telecoms issues. Alexandre worked for the Council and the Belgian Presidency between 2010 and 2011 and for the Commission (DG Information Society) between 2000 and TEAM OF TRAINERS All Cullen International trainers are seasoned regulatory affairs professionals specialised either in telecoms, privacy or electronic commerce. Very few have less than 10 years experience in their field of expertise. Veronica Bocarova, Principal Analyst, has been working for the past six years on a European Commission project to assist regulators in South Eastern Europe to bring their telecoms rules in line with the EU. She is also a specialist of Scandinavian markets. Before joining Cullen International, Veronica worked for Ericsson Business Consulting practice based in Stockholm. Peter Dunn, Principal Analyst, leads research on telecoms regulation in Europe, pulling in contributions from our analysts and correspondents across the continent. Prior to joining Cullen International, he was working in the UK and Europe for Orange and for Colt, and for Digicel Group in the Caribbean. Dries Indesteege, Senior Analyst, leverages his engineering background to provide brilliantly simple explanations of the most tricky technical-regulatory topics to colleagues and clients alike. Before joining Cullen International, he was part of the regulatory strategy team of Belgacom. Janne Kalliala, Principal Analyst, is lead author of the flagship report Western Europe Telecom Update, which covers the five largest European markets France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Prior to joining Cullen International, Janne was an associate in a law firm working mainly on competition and telecoms law. Elena Scaramuzzi, Program Manager and Principal Analyst, is an emerging markets specialist. She has worked extensively on regulation in Latin America and Balkan countries and the application of European best practice to countries in the region. Before joining Cullen International, she was part of the regulatory team at Telecom Italia. Martin Schraa, EU Analyst, covers the Brussels beat reporting daily on the European Commission, Parliament and Council.

4 Day 1 Introduction to the training course Delegate introductions and objectives SESSION 1 LIBERALISATION AND MARKET REGULATION The European regulatory framework for telecoms has been through two major reviews in the last decade but the roots of many current policies on asymmetry and entry assistance go back to the 90s. Abridged history of European Union telecoms regulation: from liberalisation to regulated competition From individual licences to the current regime of general authorisation Why the licensing process was staggered and its influence on today s environment The role of national ministries, national regulators and European bodies The development of an EU regulatory framework Recent developments, including the Digital Agenda and the 2009 regulatory framework SESSION 2 COMPETITION LAW AND ITS CO-EXISTENCE ALONGSIDE SECTOR-SPECIFIC REGULATION While sector specific regulation (SSR) plays a key role in shaping many aspects of the relations both among operators and between operators and customers, the role of competition law is growing. This is due to the increased competition among operators and the rolling back of SSR in retail markets. With the multiplication of private damages actions, competition law cases represent increasingly important financial risks for the operators. There have been many competition law cases in the telecoms sector both at EU and national levels. Examples of competition law cases in the telecoms sector : Abuse of dominance: France Telecom-Orange/Wanadoo, Deutsche Telekom; Telefonica (e 152m fine imposed), Telekomunikacja Polska (e 128m fine), TeliaSonera, Slovak Telecom Agreements between firms: mobile cartel in France (e 534m fine), mobile coordinated practice in the Netherlands, network sharing SESSION 3 INTERCONNECTION AND ACCESS Interconnection and access regulation are the cornerstone of any telecoms policy. Technological development and the emergence of new business models make it an area in constant evolution. Will fixed and mobile termination rates continue to decrease? De-mystifying network cost modelling (making sense of BU-LRIC) Local loop unbundling: what future in a fibre world? Bitstream access the emergence of the Ethernet protocol Mobile Virtual Network Access (MVNOs) SESSION 4 MARKET REVIEWS The liberalisation has led to the development of competition and even to a loss of dominant position in specific markets for incumbent operators. Against this background, regulators have had to give up the one-size fits all approach and adopt a more flexible approach based on competition law. The market analysis process also leads to both a higher degree of transparency of regulators decisions and to a closer scrutiny of national decisions by the European Commission and recently by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications. General principles aligning regulatory intervention with the degree of competition: the three criteria test Market definition Finding of dominance - SMP designation Remedies, including access obligations

5 Day 2 SESSION 5 EU FRAMEWORK The regulatory regime for electronic communications in Europe is shaped by the overall EU legislative framework. EU law is made up of primary and secondary legislation which is influenced, developed and agreed by a range of different bodies. Who are the main actors involved in establishing EU laws, policies and regulations affecting the sector? What are the features of the different forms of legislative instruments and other documents available? How does the legislative procedure work and how are laws implemented? SESSION 6 EU HARMONISATION (ARTICLE 7) The Article 7 and 7a procedures are designed to ensure that NRAs harmonise their approach to the definition of markets, the assessment of SMP and the application of appropriate remedies. However, these procedures arose as a form of compromise after political wrangling during the 2009 review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. How do these harmonisation procedures operate in practice? What do recent cases tell us about the approach taken by NRAs, the views of the Commission and BEREC? What trends can be observed? SESSION 7 REGULATORY ISSUES IN NEXT GENERATION ACCESS NETWORKS The Digital Agenda for Europe sets far reaching and ambitious targets for the deployment and take-up of very high-speed broadband. Today Europe is still far away from achieving these targets. The challenges facing regulators is to find an approach that would strike a balance between facilitating the deployment of NGA and encouraging investment and innovation, while at the same time maintaining a sustainable competition. Basics of NGA architectures Which access obligations are feasible for NGA? Which remedies are necessary to facilitate migration to NGA? How should wholesale access be priced to encourage investment? SESSION 8 UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND UNIVERSAL BROADBAND In its Digital Agenda, the European Commission sets ambitious objectives: broadband for all in 2013 and fast broadband (at least 30 Mbps) for all by Furthermore, 50% of the European population should have broadband access at speeds above 100 Mbps by Several member states have included broadband access in the scope of universal service and the European Commission is considering to issue guidance on this matter. Universal service: a dynamic concept Regulation and subsidies in an evolving broadband market Implications for the current debate on NGA regulation The future of universal service

6 Day 3 SESSION 9 SPECTRUM POLICY There is now a firm focus on the need at global and European level to make available sufficient radio spectrum to meet the demand for mobile broadband services. This was clearly demonstrated at the 2012 World Radio Conference and in the final text of the European Radio Spectrum Policy Programme. A number of EU Member States have already implemented major spectrum awards in 2011 and 2012, and many others have scheduled awards for In this context, the session will cover: The different properties and values of spectrum bands How radio spectrum is managed and regulated From command and control to service and technology neutrality Techniques and measures to enhance efficient use of spectrum, including trading and white spaces Demand for mobile broadband spectrum Digital dividend and refarming Design of spectrum auctions, including spectrum caps and coverage obligations Spectrum awards SESSION 10 NET NEUTRALITY The net neutrality debate in Europe focuses on consumer protection measures as well as the question who has to pay for the investments needed to upgrade networks to cope with the forecast growth in data traffic. What the EU 2009 regulatory framework has changed How are national regulators tackling the issue? The European net neutrality debate compared to the US The forthcoming Commission recommendations on net neutrality New business models to sustain network investment (the emergence of a two-tier internet?) SESSION 11 MOBILE ROAMING The EU has regulated the price of international mobile roaming inside the EU since The third edition of the EU Roaming Regulation came into force on July 1, It continues the downward trend in the regulated price caps, and introduces caps on retail prices for data roaming. A new decoupling option must be implemented by July 1, 2014 enabling customers to choose a different provider for roaming services than their domestic mobile provider. How roaming works Price caps Bill shock protection measures Preparatory work underway to implement the decoupling obligation The venue The training course will be held at the Silken Berlaymont Hotel. The Silken Berlaymont Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the EU district of Brussels and 3km from the historic city centre. Delegates at the training benefit from special accommodation prices at the Silken Berlaymont Hotel when booking in advance. A hotel booking form will be sent to you together with the confirmation of your registration at the training course. Hotel Silken Berlaymont Brussels 11-19, Boulevard Charlemagne 1000 Brussels Tel +32 (0) Fax +32 (0) booking.berlaymont@hoteles-silken.com

7 For more information On the programme, contact Philippe Defraigne Tel + 32 (0) phil.defraigne@cullen-international.com On administrative questions, contact Sarah Vergote Tel sarah.vergote@cullen-international.com How to register? Please register by filling in the respective registration form on our website: Fees Fee (VAT excluded*) per delegate Early bird fee (up until 2 months before the training date) e 1,800 Standard fee e 2,000 10% discount for multiple registrations from the same organisation The fees include the documentation materials, the refreshments, lunches on the three days and social events. They do not include accommodation. * No VAT chargeable on bookings by participants from the European Union who are subject to VAT in their country or by non EU participants. Belgian VAT (21%) is chargeable on bookings by European participants who are not subject to VAT. Upon receiving your registration, we will send you an invoice to be paid within one month and in all cases before the event. Payment can be made by bank transfer, by cheque, or online via Paypal. In the absence of payment by the due date, Cullen International reserves the right to reallocate places. TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS A. Limited number of delegates To ensure a high quality training/conference experience, the number of participants in the training/conference programme will be limited. Cullen International reserves the right to refuse registrations once the maximum number of participants is reached. B. Cancellations / substitutions Cancellations must be made in writing. Full refunds will be paid only if cancellations are received by Cullen International 14 days before the start of the training/conference course. For trainings, in case of cancellations within 14 days before the start of the training course, a refund will also take place but an amount of 300e will be charged for administrative costs. If the delegate registers to a subsequent training course that takes places within one year from the date of the training for which the registration was cancelled, the amount of 300e will be deducted from the cost of that subsequent training course. Delegate substitutions can be made at any time. They must be communicated to Cullen International before the start of the course. C. Non-attendance In the event of non-attendance, full training/conference fees will remain payable and no refunds will be paid. D. Changes to programme, venue or date Cullen International reserves the right to make changes to the programme, the venue and the presenters. Cullen International also reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the training/ conference if there are insufficient participants. Delegates will be notified in good time and will be entitled to a refund of the fee if the training/conference is cancelled or is changed to a date which is not convenient for the delegate. E. Invoicing and Payment conditions Registrations will only be effective after payment receipt and payment must be done before the event takes place. Cullen International reserves the right to refuse attendance of a participant whose invoice has not been paid prior to the event. Cullen International also reserves the right to refuse registrations to members of organisations who had registered participants to previous events and not paid their invoices. The delegate shall provide, while registering to attend an event, all requested information necessary for the issue of the invoices. All invoices are payable in total, for the amount invoiced including the taxes stated on each invoice (VAT). No withholding for tax or administrative reasons will be accepted. F. Data protection Your personal data will be used for the purpose of organising the training or conference. Cullen International will also subsequently use such data to inform you of its future training programmes and other activities or services, unless you opt out by sending us an . Your personal data will not be communicated to any third parties. G. Confidentiality and Copyright All Cullen International training/conference material is subject to normal copyright conditions. Any copy is subject to prior written authorisation from Cullen International. The training/conference material is for the delegate s own use and may not be disclosed to any third party. It shall be treated with a high level of confidentiality, in the same way as the delegate protects its own confidential information. Cullen International SA Clos Lucien Outers, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium Tel : Fax : events@cullen-international.com www. cullen- international. com