Europe’s telecom sector delivers great value for money and shows progress, but still has ground to cover on some dimensions

Europe’s telecom sector delivers great value for money and shows progress, but still has ground to cover on some dimensions

European consumers benefit from affordable broadband services and a sector that remains financially resilient overall and supportive of investment and innovation, according to BEREC’s latest fact-finding report on where Europe stands in telecommunications. At the same time, the EU-27 still has to fill in the gap to the top global peers on network download speeds, while the roll-out of next-generation networks is not yet complete.

In its fact-finding report, BEREC sketches a comparative picture of where Europe stands on connectivity, services affordability, network performance, competitive landscape, access regulation and consolidation matters, as well as operators’ overall financial health, highlighting both the sector’s strengths and the areas where further progress is needed.

The report also underscores the determinant role of the EU’s regulatory framework in promoting competition and helping to create dynamic markets that are supportive of innovation and investments, while also delivering real value to European consumers.

In identifying areas for improvement, the report concludes that the sector still has ground to cover when it comes to download speed for broadband services and connectivity take-up. Although the sector remains financially resilient overall and investment is progressing, the mission is not fully accomplished, with areas that still require coverage and the digital divide to be bridged.

The report highlights several key areas in which the EU telecommunications sector performs comparatively strong, while also identifying areas where further progress is needed.