Assessing The Regulatory Gap Between Eastern And Western Europe

In this report we look at the major differences between the 15 original EU member states and the ten new accession countries. We compare the current status of market analysis with particular emphasis on local loop unbundling (LLU), bitstream and mobile regulation, and discuss possible regulatory developments for the new member states.

The new accession countries face a great challenge in introducing the European Framework and carrying out the market analyses. The ten countries are trailing behind the original 15 member states in many ways. Some accession countries - for example, Slovenia and Hungary - have come a long way in carrying out market analyses of the 18 markets defined by the European Commission. They have concluded 16 of the analyses each. Estonia, Poland and, more astoundingly, Belgium are yet to commence the process. How one of the oldest EU member states has failed to carry out consultation on any of the markets is an important question that Ovum is yet to find an answer to.