Under Article 104 of the European Electronic Code of Communications (EECC), national regulatory authorities in coordination with other competent authorities can require providers of internet access services (IAS) and of publicly available interpersonal communications services (ICS) to publish comprehensive, comparable, reliable, user-friendly and up-to-date information for end-users on the quality of their services and on measures taken to ensure equivalence in access for end-users with disabilities.

National regulatory authorities in coordination with other competent authorities must also specify, taking utmost account of BEREC guidelines, the QoS parameters to be measured, the applicable measurement methods and the content, form and manner of the information to be published, including possible quality certification mechanisms.

In 2020, BEREC published the first guidelines detailing QoS parameters. The guidelines stated that a review would commence two years later. BEREC is now preparing to publish its first review, which will address the following:

• the relevant QoS parameters in relation to ICS and IAS;
• the parameters relevant for end-users with disabilities;
• the applicable measurement methods for QoS parameters including, where appropriate, the ETSI and ITU standards set out in Annex X to the EECC in relation to ICS and IAS;
• the QoS parameters of 5G networks, including the identification of appropriate technical key performance indicators (KPIs) to qualify service levels and comparison of network deployment in Member States based on available QoS 5G connectivity, including mechanisms to collect and process QoS data to ensure the monitoring of 5G network deployment; the feasibility and conditions for using 5G QoS data in geographical maps made available to users may also be considered;
• the content and format of QoS information; and
• the quality certification mechanisms.

Stakeholders are invited to share their views on the following questions:

• Do the existing Guidelines detailing QoS parameters assist stakeholders in using them? Are there any challenges to implementing the Guidelines?
• Which points in the Guidelines could be more detailed or clarified?
• Which parameters listed in Annex X of EECC most assist end-users to evaluate QoS?
• Do you think any new parameters should be added? If so, which ones?

The deadline for responding is 9 June 2023. Stakeholders will have a further opportunity at a later stage to provide submissions when the review goes out to public consultation in Autumn 2023. To access the call for input, click here.