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About ECO

The ECO is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the permanent office supporting the CEPT, its Presidency and its three Committees: the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), the Committee for ITU Policy (Com-ITU) and the Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP). The CEPT brings together the postal and telecommunications regulatory authorities of 48 European countries.

2011 saw the Office’s 20th anniversary. Here are some key milestones in its establishment and development:

  • In 1991, a ”Host Agreement” was signed with the Danish Government, and the European Radiocommunications Office, ERO, was established on the basis of an MoU with 19 signatories
  • In June 1993, the ERO Convention was agreed by the parties to the MoU
  • In January 1994, the European Telecommunications Office, ETO, was established on the basis of an MoU
  • In March 1996, the ERO Convention entered into force
  • On 1 January 2001 the ERO and the ETO merged
  • On 1 July 2009, the merger was formally recognised by a change of name to ECO, European Communications Office.

 

On 1 September 2010 Montenegro joined, bringing to 31 the number of countries contributing to the financing of the ECO. The Office is governed by the ECO Council, consisting of representatives of the Contracting Parties to the Convention. The current Chairman of Council is Mr Geir Sundal (NOR), and the Vice-Chairman Mr Peter Pauli (SUI). For more details, see Council page.

Currently, the number of ECO staff is 13 persons drawn from different CEPT countries.The Director is Mark Thomas (United Kingdom).

The ECO has the following primary functions:

  • to provide a centre of expertise which shall act as a focal point, identifying problem areas and new possibilities in the postal and electronic communications field and to advise the CEPT Presidency and the Committees accordingly;
  • to draft long-term plans for future use of scarce resources utilised by electronic communications on a European level;
  • to liaise with the national authorities, as appropriate;
  • to support and work together with national frequency management authorities;
  • to conduct consultations on specific topics or parts of the frequency spectrum;
  • to publish CEPT deliverables (Decisions and Recommendations) and keep a record of their implementation;
  • to be the custodian of the CEPT archives and to disseminate CEPT information as appropriate