Lords EU committee to question Ofcom and communication companies on impact of Brexit
On Thursday 2 February 2017 representatives from the communications regulator Ofcom, BT, Viber Media and Telefonica (O2) will give evidence to the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee.
This double evidence session is a stand-alone in-depth look at the Commission's recent proposals to reform telecommunications rules in the Single Market (under its Connectivity Package).
The Committee will hear from:
At 10.15am:
- Dr Stephen Unger, Board Member and Group Director, Ofcom
At 11.15am:
- Adrian Whitchurch, Director of European affairs, BT
- Michael Shmilov, Chief Operating Officer, Viber Media
- Nicholas Blades, Director - Regulation, Competition and Data Policy, Telefónica (O2)
Questions which witnesses may face include:
- What is your view on whether the proposed changes to Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) strengthen the influence of the European Commission and potentially weaken that of National Regulatory Authorities?
- How will Ofcom's relationship with BEREC change during the Brexit negotiation period and after the UK leaves the European Union?
- Will the draft European Electronic Communications Code encourage investment in very high capacity (VHC) or superfast broadband networks in the UK?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks to the proposed harmonisation of key aspects of spectrum management across the EU for the industry and the end-consumer?
- Do you think the increased requirements for Over-the-Top (OTT) telecommunications service providers, such as Viber, are proportionate?
These evidence sessions will take place at 10.15am on Thursday 2 February 2017 in Committee Room 4A of the House of Lords.
