The intended renewal of broadband infrastructure and, associated therewith, the deployment of high capacity fibre networks challenges the current Regulatory Framework. The “European Electronic Communication Code” (EECC) currently opens a new chapter in European telecommunication regulation. Regulation shall more than ever promote access to and take-up of very high capacity networks. The challenges posed by the necessary deployment of fibre infrastructure shall be tackled inter alia by concentrating on cooperation between undertakings and co-invest instead of mandating access to network bottlenecks.The project aims at developing strategies for implementing regulatory practices to support the broadband objectives of the Federal Government of Germany after the EECC has been transposed into national law. The research focuses on the rules regarding cooperations between undertakings and co-invest as well as the reduction in regulation provided for by Art. 76 and 79 EECC. It shall explore their implication on the legal framework of broadband expansion.Subjects of the investigation are

• The impact of co-invest regulation on broadband deployment
• The Regulatory Framework regarding cooperations and co-invest and the introduction of commitments into telecommunication regulation by Art. 76 and 79 EECC
• The role of commitments in different regulatory models. A specific focus is placed on different scenarios of reduced regulation.