Ambassador Tibor Stelbaczky and Deputy Secretary of State Ákos Mernyei represented Hungary in the TTE Telecommunications Council on 4 December in Brussels.
The Council discussed the draft regulation on the free flow of non-personal data. The regulation would end unjustified data localisation requirements and would establish a clear framework for non-personal data to move across borders in the EU. The debate showed strong support from member states for the free flow of data proposal and the presidency’s efforts to reach an agreement in the Council this year.
Ministers took note of the progress on a proposal to update privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy regulation). The draft regulation is intended to ensure a high level of protection for private life, communications and personal data in the electronic communications sector. The Council noted that some elements need further discussion before the general approach can be agreed.
The Council reached a general approach on updating the regulation for the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communication (BEREC). This will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament. The central element of the text is the independence of BEREC and the BEREC Office. Ministers agreed that the existing two- tier structure should be maintained. The Council agreed that the new rules should be aligned with its mandate on the European Electronic Communications Code, since the two proposals are closely interlinked. Negotiations on both dossiers will run in parallel.
The presidency briefed ministers on the state of play of negotiations on the European Electronic Communications Code. The first trilogue was held on 25 October 2017. The second trilogue is planned for 6 December, after the TTE Telecoms Council on 4 December. The overall aim is to reach an agreement by June 2018.
Urvo Palo, Council President and Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology signed a 5G roadmap that sets out specific deadlines for the harmonisation of spectrum necessary for the rollout of 5G as agreed between member states and confirms the objective of positioning Europe as a leading market for 5G on the world stage.
Lastly, the incoming Bulgarian presidency presented its telecommunications work programme for the first half of 2018.
