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Summary - Telecommunications Law (RGBIR50010)
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Summary of Telecommunications law lectures and case law.
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Telecommunications Law Week 1Hertz
Unit of frequency, cycles per second, used to describe the radio spectrum, as part of the
whole electromagnetic spectrum.
1Hz= 1 cycle per second
1 megahertz=1 million cycles per second
1 gigahertz=1 billion cycles per second
5G and the 3.5 GHz band in the Netherlands:
The Dutch Telecom Agency is responsible for regulating and managing telecommunications
in the Netherlands, including the introduction of new technologies such as 5G. Part of their
role involves organizing auctions for frequency bands that are essential for deploying
these new technologies. However, the full implementation of one of the most efficient 5G
bands, the 3.5 GHz band, has faced significant challenges.
Problems with the 3.5 GHz Band:
1. Interference with Intelligence Services
- The 3.5 GHz frequency band was previously used by the Dutch General Intelligence and
Security Service and the Military Intelligence and Security Service in Burum. Large
satellites in Burum were employed to intercept and monitor communications for
intelligence purposes.
- Interference Issue: Introducing 5G across the country using the 3.5 GHz band would have
caused interference with these intelligence operations. The high density and pervasive
nature of 5G signals would disrupt the sensitive communications equipment used by these
services, impairing their ability to conduct regular activities.
- The satellites and associated operations have eventually been relocated to mitigate these
interference issues.
2. Impact on Maritime Safety Communications
- Inmarsat Operations: Inmarsat, a company based in Burum, used the 3.5 GHz band to
monitor maritime communications, including handling distress (SOS) signals essential for
maritime safety.
- Due to the interference from 5G, Inmarsat's operations needed to be relocated to ensure
that critical maritime safety communications would not be disrupted. The company is now
being moved to Greece to continue its operations without interference.
With the relocation of both the intelligence services and Inmarsat's operations, the 3.5 GHz
band will soon be available for 5G deployment. This band is highly efficient for 5G due to its
favorable balance between coverage and capacity, offering fast data speeds and robust
network performance.
Frequency band/band:
A specific range of frequencies in the electromagnetic frequency spectrum assigned to
certain applications
, - Lower frequencies: easily penetrate buildings+structures, used for long distances
- Higher frequencies: closer range, cannot penetrate buildings but characterised by
an extremely high speed
Five industrial revolutions:
1. Steam engine
2. Electricity
3. Electronics
4. Digital revolution
5. Rise of AI
How would you define the term “telecommunications”?
The transmission of signals that consist of data or information (voice, messages, images).
Takes place through networks and services which are provided over those networks (eg
wireless networks, fiber optic cables, satellites)
Noteworthy technological developments
› Telecommunications/electronic communications
› Telegraph, telephone, radio, television and communication satellites
› Circuit switching, message switching and packet switching (and networks)
● Packet switching: Packet switching divides data into small packets that are
transmitted independently over the network. Each packet can take different routes
to reach the destination, where they are reassembled into the original message. (eg
email)
● Message switching: Message switching involves the transfer of entire messages
from one device to another. Each message is stored and forwarded from one
intermediate device to another until it reaches the destination (eg a letter)
● Circuit switching: Circuit switching establishes a dedicated communication path or
circuit between two devices for the duration of the transmission. This path remains
reserved exclusively for the communication between the two devices until the
connection is terminated. (eg phone call)
› NCP and TCP/IP
o NCP (Network Control Protocol): it was a communication protocol for a computer
network used in the 70s and 80s
o Transmission control protocol, internet protocol=TCP/IP: replaces NCP protocol, and is
now being used everywhere. A set of instructions indicating how computers or other
devices need to communicate with each other, and how information should be sent from
one device to another. It is a framework for organising the set of communication
protocols on the Internet and similar computer networks. It works on the bases of the
packet switching, that are sent around in different packages, arriving at the same time
› Email, HTML and Mosaic/Netscape
› Other relevant developments
,Regulating telecommunications
› The International Telecommunications Union (ITU):
One of the oldest agencies, established in the 19th century (International Telegraph Union),
it is now a UN agency. Aim: standardization+facilitate cooperation. Create common
policies on spectrum allocation, other topics; all agreements concluded under the ITU are
considered as treaties.
› The European Union: internal market
▪ Old regulatory framework (1990-2002);
▪ New regulatory framework (2002-2018);
▪ The current EECC (2018-…).
› The Netherlands:
▪ Telegraph Act from 1852;
▪ Telegraph and Telephone Act from 1904;
▪ Telecommunications Facilities Act from 1989;
▪ Telecommunications Act from 1998.
› The United States
Most approaches are technology neutral: legislator does not allow for discrimination
between different telecommunication services, including new types of communications
that should be regulated too. Art. 3(4) electronic communications code states that national
regulators should act in a technology-neutral way.
Terms and notions
› Important terms:
▪ Electronic communications networks;
▪ Electronic communications services:
- Internet access service (Article 2 Regulation 2015/2120);
- Interpersonal communications service (number-based and number-independent);
- Service consisting wholly and mainly in the conveyance of signals:
incl. machine-to-machine services and broadcasting (see the CJEU judgments:
UPC Nederland (i.a. par. 42-47), UPC DHT Sàrl (i.a. p. 58) and France Télévisions SA (i.a. par.
17-22)).
▪ Operator;
▪ General authorisation.
› Public electronic communications networks and publicly available electronic
communications services: the circle of users should not be too restricted and should
not comprise a specific, clearly limited target group that is not accessible by the general
public.
, A set of other core terms (see also Article 2 EECC):
(13) User;
(14) End-user; and
(15) Consumer.
Question: Could you please try and find the definition of the term “user” in the ePrivacy
Directive? What does it mean and is there any difference with the definition found in the
EECC?
EECC: ‘Natural or legal person using or requesting a publicly available electronic device’
E-privacy directive: specifically refers to natural persons being users. Why? Because it deals
with personal data=> only natural persons, not legal persons.
A case to solve/think about
An IT company “Research Technology” is located in the Netherlands and
provides its electronic communications services to five Dutch universities. Employees of
these universities can log in on the website of Research Technology and get access to the
Internet/upload or download their research data.
▪ How would you qualify the services provided by this company? (publicly available
electronic communications services or not) Non-publicly available
▪ Must this company be authorised to provide the above-mentioned services and by whom
should it be authorised? No, but if it did=> by the NRA
▪ What will happen if the provision of these services is not authorised? Fine
National regulatory authorities
The EECC requires Member States to establish national regulatory authorities (NRAs; see
Articles 5-11 EECC) in order to carry out (at least) the following tasks:
▪ Implementing ex ante market regulation;
▪ Resolving disputes between undertakings;
▪ Carrying out radio spectrum management and decisions and other associated activities;
▪ Protecting end-user rights;
▪ Monitoring and examining market-shaping and competition issues;
▪ Ensuring appropriate provision of universal service;
▪ Realising number portability between providers.
Oversight and enforcement in practice
▪ The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate (Article 15.1 Par. 1
Dutch Telecommunications Act): Telecom Agency (“Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur”
or “RDI” since 1 January 2023; before: “Agentschap Telecom” or “AT”).
▪ The Authority for Consumers & Markets (Article 15.1 Par. 3 Dutch Telecommunications
Act) (“Autoriteit Consument en Markt” or “ACM”).
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