European Competitive Telecommunications Association – ECTA

About ECTA

The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA), is the pan-European pro-competitive trade association that represents the leading challenger telecoms operators and digital solutions providers across Europe. For more than two decades, ECTA has been supporting the regulatory and commercial interests of telecoms operators, ISPs & equipment manufacturers in pursuit of a fair regulatory environment that allows all electronic communications providers to compete on level terms. Our members have been and are among the leading innovators in Internet services, broadband, business communications, entertainment and mobile.

ECTA members are united in their belief that competition is the best driver of efficient investments and the greatest enabler of innovation, choice and benefits for citizens and businesses, as well as for the European economy overall.

As new technologies and services emerge, policymakers must remain vigilant that competitive choice continues to thrive and that the digital ecosystem functions in a way most beneficial to individuals, private businesses and public institutions.

Including members of its Affiliate member associations, ECTA represents more than 100 communications service provider companies, including leaders in the following market segments throughout Europe:

• Alternative providers of consumer broadband and triple-play

  • First to launch Internet dial-up

  • First to launch triple play, first to launch high speed broadband ADSL2+

  • Early/Major investors in FttP (FttB/H)

• Providers of pan-European/global services to businesses

  • First to launch IP-VPN, first to launch Ethernet services

  • Early/Major investors in FttP (FttO)

• Challenger mobile/wireless network operators and service providers

ECTA‘s core advocacy mission is to work with the European institutions and national governments, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), competition authorities, European and national agencies, to promote and foster a regulatory environment for the European Communications Sector which ultimately supports free market competition and leads to political, social and economic benefits for all Europe’s businesses and consumers with:

Aims & Objectives

• Assist and encourage market liberalisation and competition

• Represent the telecommunications industry to key government and regulatory bodies

• Maintain a forum for networking and business development throughout Europe

• Assist new market entrants through pro-competitive policies

• Continually reflect the dynamic nature of the telecommunications industry

Core Principles

• Consumers are best protected by competition

• Service development is driven by consumer choice 

• Regulation should create confidence 

• Tariffs should be reasonable and straightforward 

• Regulators should not pick winners or losers 

• Incumbents must not be allowed to prevent competition

• Pan-European solutions are needed for Pan-European problems