Since 2009 the Euro-Mediterranean Regulators’ Group (EMERG) has undertaken an annual benchmark of its member National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs). The results form the basis for the evaluation of the level of approximation of the southern Mediterranean countries (hereinafter also referred to as MENA countries) with respect to the European Framework for the electronic communications sector and the formulation of the Group’s Annual Work Plan.

There are minor changes in the organization of the 2017 Report compared to the 2016 Benchmark report. The 2017 Report seeks to quantify the rapprochement between MENA and European countries by showing the evolution of individual indicators over time. The use of digitization indices (Network Readiness Index, ITU Development Index) has remained unchanged. Like previous reports information about key performance indicators and trends of the telecom sector has also been collected and an update of the regulatory activities of the EMERG members in 2016 and 2017 is provided.

Chapter 1 of the Report is an introduction. Chapter 2 describes main trends in the telecommunication markets (fixed and mobile) in the EMERG countries based on data provided by EMERG members and other sources such as ITU, the World Bank etc. Chapters 3 to 8 focus on regulatory developments (institutional issues, market entrance conditions, consumer issues etc.) in EMERG countries. Finally, chapter 9 includes Regulatory Fiches from Member States that have participated in the survey.

THE REPORT: Final_EMERG_Benchmark_Report_2017

Study for EURO-MEDITERRANEAN REGULATORS GROUP (EMERG) By: Detecon International WIK Consult GmbH