In April 2002, a European Union (EU) regulatory framework for electronic communications was adopted and went into effect in July 2003. In its introduction to the framework, the EU Information Society Directorate-General explains:

The convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors demands a single regulatory framework that covers all transmission networks and services. The EU regulatory framework addresses all communications infrastructure in a coherent way, but does not cover the content of services delivered over and through those networks and services. There are five different directives: the Framework Directive6 (2002/21/EC) and four specific directives, being the Authorisation Directive7 (2002/20/EC), the Access Directive8 (2002/19/EC), the Universal Service Directive9 (2002/22/EC) and the Privacy Directive10 (2002/58/EC). In addition, the Competition Directive (2002/77/EC) applies.

The objectives set out in the EU regulatory framework are:

To promote competition by fostering innovation, liberalising markets and simplifying market entry;

To promote the single European market and;

To promote the interest of citizens.

All Member States are required to implement the EU framework in their national law. The framework lays down the role of Member States and national regulatory authorities, the rights and obligations for market players, and the rights of users of electronic communications networks and services. In addition, Member States may take measures justified on the grounds of public health and public security as set out in the EC Treaty, for example by imposing requirements for legal interception or critical infrastructure protection, and such...