The European Commission has commissioned WIK-Consult and TNO (as subcontractor) to investigate into interoperability conditions for virtual wholesale products in the EU. Major market investigation by an online-questionnaire and 3 workshops with stakeholders (large business telecommunication users, wholesale access providers and wholesale access seekers, BEREC and standardization organisations, …) had been conducted.
The study results that common specifications for wholesale products (besides other factors) support the transition from traditional to modern high speed broadband services and reduce their "time to market" significantly.
A short term focus should concentrate on a common understanding of specifications for virtual unbundling VULA and Ethernet-Bitstream. In addition complaints regarding poor service levels for Ethernet Leased Lines shall be solved, if required by an EC recommendation.
In relation to the wider review of the framework for electronic communications, consideration could be given for the longer term to:
The study „Access and interoperability standards for the promotion of the internal market for electronic communications" is available for download at the website of the European Commission.
