Broadband as a Universal Service: Ensuring the availability of an adequate broadband internet access service, including the underlying connection, at a fixed location – Decision Notice

In August 2020, as part of the review of a fixed connection capable of supporting functional internet access at a line speed of 4 Mbps, and taking into consideration the EU Directive 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), the MCA published the consultation entitled “Broadband as a Universal Service - Ensuring the availability of an adequate broadband internet access service, including the underlying connection, at a fixed location (MCA/C/20-3948)".

In June 2021 the MCA published the response to consultation, the proposed decision and next steps (MCA/O/21-4203). The MCA noted that the final decision would be issued once the EECC had been transposed under national legislation. National legislation transposing the relevant provisions of the EECC was brought into force on the 1st of October 2021.

Having regard to the Electronic Communications Networks and Services (General) Regulations, S.L 399.48 the MCA is hereby issuing its final Decision on the availability of an adequate broadband internet access service, including the underlying connection at a fixed location, as a universal service. The Decision is effective as from the 1st December 2021 and shall remain in force until further notice by the MCA. The Decision supersedes the MCA’s 2011 Decision Notice entitled ‘’Provision of access at a fixed location - Requirements to be compiled with by the Universal Service Provider (USP) in relation to Functional Internet Access (MCA/D/11-0314)’’.