Fixed and mobile convergence in Europe : quality measurements for 5G and network densification : executive summary

This study was commissioned by DG Connect, Unit F4, Digital Economy and Skills, and Unit B4, Radio Spectrum Policy Unit, and was conducted during 2017, analysing material from surveys with national regulatory authorities (NRAs), technical standards and relevant literature. The objectives of the study were to: 1. Analyse fixed-mobile convergence (at service, infrastructure and market level) in Europe over time and to detect future trends that can improve connectivity in Europe; 2. Complement the EU Integrated Platform Mapping of Broadband Services in Europe; 3. Provide a clear understanding of differences in coverage measurement among Member States and elsewhere; and, 4. Assess the technical, political and economic obstacles that prevent the definition of common coverage measurements. To address these objectives, the study was divided into six tasks: 1. Investigating the issues of fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) and fixed-mobile substitution (FMC); 2. The possible role of fixed networks in the densification of 4G and 5G mobile networks; 3. The impacts of coverage obligations in cellular licences on connectivity; 4. EU Member States' use of quality of service (QoS) indicators; 5. The possibility of moving toward a common set of QoS indicators; and, 6. How that might be accomplished. The subject matter is detailed, fairly technical and so quite dense, hence the Final Report provides a Summary Report as well as a more detailed Methodological Section, supported by separate appendixes. We were also asked to comment on the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) where it pertains to the study, and the Code's relevant Articles and areas for possible amendment are included in a table at the end of the Summary Report.