The Chairman of the CRC discussed with the European regulators current issues in the telecommunications sector.

 

The Chairman of the Communications Regulation Commission PhD Veselin Bozhkov participated in the regular meeting of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG) and the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), held in Amsterdam from 29^-th of September till 01^-st October 2010.

 

The meeting began with a seminar on “Net Neutrality”, in which a special guest was Mr. Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the U.S. regulator Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

 

The main issues discussed at the meeting were related to one of the major powers of the regulators, namely the definition of specific relevant markets and the methodology for analyses carrying out. The last survey on the levels of the calls termination rates in mobile networks was presented as well. According to the presented data, Bulgaria has reached the average European termination rates in mobile networks with the new rates effective as of 1^-st July 2010: 0.13 BGN and 0.11 BGN for peak and off-peak hours respectively. The issue related to the future of the roaming services regulation in the EU after 2012 was also discussed.

 

During the meeting PhD Veselin Bozhkov held conversations on current regulatory issues and opportunities for interaction with the FCC chairman, Mr Julius Genashowski, the Chairman of BEREC Mr. John Doherti, Mr. Bernd Langeheine, Director of Directorate “Electronic Communications Policy” and with Mrs. Paraskevi Michou, Head of Unit “Implementation of regulatory framework (I)” to DG “Information Society and Media” of the EC.

 

Meetings with heads of regulators of neighbouring countries such as Romania, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia and Croatia were held as well. Main topics of the discussions were cross-border interference, the transition to digital television broadcasting, digital dividend etc. Questions of present interest for all regulators, such as number portability, market analyses and opportunities for exchange of experience and best practices were raised as well.