EUR-Lex Access to European Union law
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Competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services
Competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services
Competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services
It gives every company the right to provide or operate electronic communications services and networks without any restrictions.
The directive abolishes exclusive or special rights to:
Rules on cable television state that a company that provides public electronic networks may not use the same legal name if it:
The directive repealed Commission Directives 90/388/EEC and 94/46/EC.
It has applied since 7 October 2002 and had to become law in the Member States by 24 July 2003.
The EU’s electronic communications policy improves competition, drives innovation and boosts consumer rights within the European single market.
The directive is part of the regulatory framework that entered into force on 25 July 2003. The other components are:
Commission Directive 2002/77/EC of 16 September 2002 on competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 249, 17.9.2002, pp. 21–26).
Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, pp. 36–214).
Successive amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/1972 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – Part Three – Union policies and internal actions – Title VII – Common rules on competition, taxation and approximation of laws – Chapter I – Rules on competition – Section 1 – Rules applying to undertakings – Article 106 (ex Article 86 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 90–91).
Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Community (Radio Spectrum Decision) (OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, pp. 1–6).
Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, pp. 37–47).
See consolidated version.
last update 10.02.2022