The European Commission has unveiled a report aiming to assess and enhance the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the BEREC Office. This evaluation, published on January 21, 2026, is poised to stir discussions among national regulatory authorities, telecommunications companies, digital policy experts, and EU institutions, as it highlights strengths and limitations affecting regulatory harmonization and digital market governance across Europe.
The document, titled 'Evaluation of BEREC and the BEREC Office' and issued by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT), provides an in-depth review under Article 48 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1971. It examines BEREC’s work from 2019 to 2023, updated to late 2025.
This report is an evaluative policy document rather than new legislation. It does not mandate binding changes but issues detailed observations, including calls for better operational support and coordination. It proposes reassessing BEREC’s working groups, enhancing the BEREC Office’s analytical capacity, and improving cybersecurity and staff retention. Although concrete targets or budget figures are absent, the report clearly sets a strategic direction for potential institutional reforms.
The orientation leans towards strengthening BEREC’s role in overseeing digital communications by increasing its coordination with national and EU authorities, particularly in emerging areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. However, the report stops short of expanding BEREC’s binding powers, reflecting a trade-off between reinforcing EU-level harmonisation versus preserving national regulatory flexibility.
national regulatory authorities could see increased operational demands but gain from improved resources and guidance; telecom operators might face more sophisticated regulatory scrutiny without a unified binding framework; EU institutions benefit from more coherent input; and consumers could eventually experience more consistent market conditions though with delayed impact.
This evaluation signals a continuation of the oversight process, with the Commission setting the stage for dialogue with the European Parliament and Council. Subsequent institutional responses and consultations are expected before any formal proposals or reforms are advanced.
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