25.11.2002

IRG welcomes 10 new members at meeting with colleagues from accession countries

IRG 11 Plenary Meeting in Helsinki
21-22 November 2002

The Independent Regulators Group - IRG - consisting of 19 European telecommunications regulatory authorities held a Plenary meeting on 21-22 November in Helsinki. The meeting was hosted and chaired by FICORA, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority.

IRG relationship with regulators from accession countries – IRG membership

On 22 November, IRG met at the highest level with their colleagues from the accession countries. After a meeting in which issues such as definition of markets and determination of dominance under the new regulatory framework and end users related matters were discussed, IRG decided to welcome 10 new members to the Group. On 1 January 2003, the independent regulators from the accession countries that are accepted to join the EU as of May 2004 will be joining IRG.

IRG has decided to take this step in order to foster an early true co-operation with their counterparts in the process of harmonising regulatory practices throughout the European markets.

Further assistance is also envisaged for regulators from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. In the process of co-operation with these three regulators, the Greek regulator, EETT, has volunteered to act as the bridge between IRG and them.

Principles of Implementation and Best Practice on accounting separation

IRG, acknowledging the importance of co-operation between National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in order to ensure consistency in the application of the European regulatory framework has adopted a set of Principles of Implementation and Best Practice (PIBs) on accounting separation. These PIBs intend to assist NRAs to establish or develop a regulatory accounting framework not just for interconnection but for any regulatory action where robust financial information is required. IRG considers that these PIBs will require further development over time and will work in this direction.

The PIBs on accounting separation can be found at IRG website (http://irgis.anacom.pt)

Common position on collaboration between National Regulatory Authorities and National Competition Authorities

Several provisions of the new regulatory framework for electronic communications relate to co-operation between NRAs and NCAs. In conformity with the principles established by European Community Law and with the national laws of the member countries of IRG, the purpose of this working document is to highlight effective ways for co-operation.

The common position notes that under the new framework, NRAs remain responsible for the market analysis of relevant markets. However, NCAs should play an advisory role to ensure consistency in the application of concepts and principles of competition law.

The common position also deals with exchange of information between NRAs and NCAs, where IRG considers that mutual assistance and exchange of information – confidential or not - is necessary to the performance of their respective functions. For this purpose, the paper calls on a revision of Regulation 17/62 to include the exchange of confidential information between the Commission and the NRAs when the latter are working on the definition and analysis of markets.

The adopted document may be found at IRG website (http://irgis.anacom.pt)

IRG Chair for 2004

IRG agreed Eric Van Heesvelde, Chair of the Belgian regulator, BIPT, to be appointed as IRG Chair for 2004 and as a candidate for ERG Chair 2004.

As announced in September, Professor Jens Arnbak, Chair of the Dutch regulator OPTA, is the current ERG Chair and will Chair IRG during 2003.

Further information:

IRG Secretariat: Co-ordinator Sylvia Alonso Salterain, tel. +34 91 372 43 18,

IRG Chair: Rauni Hagman, FICORA, tel. +358 9 6966 401,
Olli Mattila, FICORA, tel. +358 9 6966 849