Recent developments in telecommunications policy in the European Union

The European Union is well on target to ensure the full liberalization of the telecommunications sector from January 1, 1998. The article examines the main policy elements of the framework currently being put in place (in particular, the rules relating to universal service, licensing, interconnection, and numbering) and sets these against the market and commercial realities within the EU. It attempts to identify the basic principles underpinning 10 years of regulatory reform, as well as the emerging challenges as the European Commission starts to look beyond the 1998 deadline.