Eurostrategies
Formed in 1987 by a group of European consultancies, Eurostrategies adds a European, and global, dimension to the operations of its partner companies. It is thus in a position to respond to the growing need of business and governments to take their strategic decisions in a European and global context. Eurostrategies main areas of specialisation are telecommunications and posts.
Today, Eurostrategies is a joint subsidiary of three European consultancies, and is managed from the offices of European Research Associates, in Brussels.
About Eurostrategies
Eurostrategies is a Brussels-based European consultancy specialising in network industries including telecoms and broadcasting, plus communications and other aspects of border management. The company provides strategic advice and consultancy services to private sector companies as well as national governments and the EU institutions, particularly the European Commission.
Eurostrategies, registered under Belgian law, was set up in 1987. It has three parent companies, one each in France, the UK and Belgium, who each hold one third of the shares in Eurostrategies. The three are:
è Bureau d’information et prévisions économiques (BIPE) of le Vivaldi, 11/13 rue Réné Jacques, 92138 Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France http://www.bipe.fr/ .
è InterConnect Communications Limited (ICC) of Merlin House, Station Road, Chepstow NP16 5PB, United Kingdom http://www/icc-uk.com
è European Research Associates (ERA) of 79 avenue des Nerviens, 1040 Brussels, Belgium http://www.erabrussels.be
The parent companies and their staff participate as of right in projects carried out by Eurostrategies. They also provide Eurostrategies with additional financial backing as and when required to carry out its contracts and assignments.
Together, Eurostrategies and its parents have 40 in-house experts specialising in network industries and related sectors. In addition, with 20 years of international experience, the group has also built up a considerable network of more than 100 individual associated consultants. Eurostrategies has carried out technical assistance projects in all regions of the world.
Eurostrategies and its parents: the group structure
Eurostrategies has undertaken numerous projects and studies in Europe and beyond for commercial clients, government bodies and international organisations such as the European Union, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It has established a successful record in providing support to governments, regulators, incumbent and competitive operators, service providers and equipment suppliers. Our particular strength is to assist organisations to face the rapid changes in the network industries caused by regulatory reform, advances in technology, privatisation and competition.
Our key strengths include:
ü Comprehensive technical, legal and quantitative skills. We have a good in-house team, supplemented by a core of external associates who have worked with us on many projects;
ü an in-depth knowledge of network industries and of the regulatory and commercial environment in Europe and other key markets around the world;
ü an extensive network of contacts in operators and regulators. Through our project work and participation in various industry fora we have developed solid contacts amongst senior industry figures;
ü considerable experience of working in both industrialised and developing countries. We have undertaken over 100 projects with governments, regulators, and network operators in Eastern Europe, the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Africa and many other developing countries, in addition to the EU. This has given us a clear insight into the methods and processes which need to be adopted in different market situations to achieve project success in all types of environments;
ü a proven ability to build and manage teams for major projects. We have a reputation for being able to build and manage multi-discipline teams with the experience to undertake the most complex of project assignments. Our project teams are comprised of highly qualified professionals experienced in the study and analysis of detailed sectors, who are recognised for their ability to produce practical and effective solutions;
ü a good brand name. We have developed a high reputation for the quality of our knowledge and our ability to fully satisfy the needs of our customers.
Brief references to relevant recent projects carried out by Eurostrategies are given below.
Current projects and contracts being implemented by Eurostrategies
1. Jordan: Technical assistance to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC): The EC Delegation in Amman and the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (duration: June 2005 to June 2009) Value: €3 300 000
The aim of this project is to develop the TRC, which was set up in 1996, by strengthening its capacities, structures, resources and operations in line with best European and international practice. To carry out this work, Eurostrategies has put in place two permanent long-term experts in Amman. They are supported by a team of international short-term experts who carry out specific assignments in their areas of specialisation as and when required. This contract seeks to achieve two results: a more efficient and effective management and administrative structure within the TRC; an improvement in the TRC’s ability to issue regulations and decisions which promote fair and open market conditions in the interests of operators and end-users.
2. European Union: Study on Radio Interference Regulatory Models in the European Union: The European Commission, Brussels (December 2006-October 2007) Value €350 000
The aim of this study is to provide the European Commission with information, ideas and advice on how to apply innovative approaches to avoid harmful interference between different radio systems. Eurostrategies experts are analysing current interference avoidance mechanisms (in Europe and globally) to identify concrete technical, procedural and regulatory steps to help the EU optimise such mechanisms in order to exploit fully the potential of wireless technologies for the benefit of all sections of society. Eurostrategies will submit a series of recommendations to the European Commission. A first public workshop to discuss relevant issues took place in Brussels in May 2007; a second will be held on 9 October 2007.
For information go to http://www.interferencemanagement.eu/events
3. European Union: Framework contract for technical assistance to beneficiaries outside the European Union: Lot 3 – IT and telecommunications. European Commission, Brussels (September 2006- September 2008) Value (to date): €70 000
This is the latest in a series of framework contracts obtained by Eurostrategies as part of an international consortium headed by Atos Origin Belgium. Within the consortium, Eurostrategies is responsible for telecoms projects. Assistance is provided to any countries which receives funding from EU development programmes. Individual projects falling under the framework contract cannot exceeded 200 000 euro each. Eurostrategies carries out projects covering all areas of telecommunications, including:
- Project supervision and implementation
- Development of services, networks and associated systems
- Regulation and sector policies
Assistance is provided to ministries, regulators, operators and other service providers.
4. European Union: Framework contract for technical assistance to beneficiaries outside the European Union: Lot 7 – Culture, governance and home affairs. European Commission, Brussels (March 2006- September 2008) Value (to date): €100 000
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Eurostrategies also participates in this Lot of the framework contracts as a member of a consortium led by Atos Origin Belgium. Our responsibilities include projects dealing with cultural aspects of broadcasting plus issues linked to border security and border management. Individual assignments under this lot are also limited to a ceiling of 200 000. The European Commission uses framework contracts as a means of implementing rapidly small-scale projects to avoid the lengthy procurement processes applied to larger projects and programmes. Border management projects carried out by Eurostrategies experts in this context have been mainly in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine.
Recent Eurostrategies projects
Poland: Technical assistance for projects implemented through the Schengen Fund: The Implementing Authority for the Phare Cross-border Cooperation Programme, Warsaw. (December 2005 to May 2007) Value: €850 000
Under this contract, Eurostrategies experts supported the Implementing Authority in its programme to equip and train the Polish Border Guard in line with the requirements for managing the external frontier of the European Union. This included assistance in the procurement procedures for equipment, (especially communications and IT material and issues of network security), the monitoring of equipment installation and operation, and on-the-spot problem solving. Eurostrategies experts also carried out a series of training courses and seminars for staff of the Implementing Authority and the Border Guard.
Management support consultancy for the establishment of a Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Lebanon: Office of the Minister of state for administrative reform (OMSAR), Beirut (2003-2005) Value: €2 650 000
The specific objective of the service contract was to establish an independent and effective Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). To carry out this project, Eurostrategies maintained two long-term experts in Beirut, a team leader and a project manager. They were supported by a team of short-term experts (both international and local) to meet the specific needs identified in the project terms of reference and to provide ad hoc assistance as the need arose during the three-year period of project implementation. This technical assistance included:
· Telecommunications sector policy
· Strategic action plan
· Regulatory processes and procedures
In giving advice to the TRA, the consultants reviewed best international practices, and identified procedures that should be harmonised with those of EU Member States. The consultants also trained TRA staff, developed pilot procedures and oversaw their application.
Support for the Romanian telecoms regulator (ANRC) for drafting and promoting regulations and ongoing technology transfer for enforcing the legislative and regulatory framework as well as training and training strategy: (European Commission (2004) Value: €1 430 000
This project, carried out by Eurostrategies’ partner company ICC, built on previous work done by Eurostrategties in Romania under a World Bank project for the then General Inspectorate of Communications. The main objective was to strengthen the ANRC’s regulatory regime and to develop its institutional capacity. This included analysing the national framework for the regulation of electronic communications and postal services, and identifying action needed to ensure a fully competitive regime in line with EU regulations. The second step in this process was to develop new and/or amended legislative/regulatory instruments to secure compliance where this was not the case. The focus included ex-ante regulation, especially the issue of significant market power (SMP), problems of access and interconnection for new service providers (including broadband and internet), universal service and users rights, dispute resolution and raising public awareness.
Extension of the communications equipment system for the Romanian border police: EC Delegation Bucharest (November 2005 – June 2006) Value: €36 000
The objective of the project was to provide assistance with elements of the overall concept and specific technical requirements for the successful tendering of a multi-annual border police communications project and its integration into a wider programme structure.
The Eurostrategies consultant carried out three tasks:
- To verify that equipment to be procured takes account of input from earlier pilot projects, that the tender provides value for money, and that equipment and systems can be integrated with other related projects (Black Sea and Danube surveillance systems and mobile communications).
- To assist with preparing, organising and attending clarification meeting for bidders & responding to bidders queries during tender period.
- To participate in the tender evaluation as independent observer on behalf of the EC delegation.
Implementation of wide-screen and high-definition television in the context of digital broadcasting – European Commission – ( 2004) Value: €150 000
The aim of this project was to assess the situation in the EU member states concerning the migration to digital broadcasting, especially concerning the move to wide-screen transmission (in the 16 :9 ratio aspect) and the timing of the introduction of high definition TV. Eurostrategies carried out the following tasks:
è Assessment of the widescreen market in the EU member states both as regards programming and the availability of widescreen and/or flat screen TV sets
è A supply-side survey of broadcasters, regulators, service providers, manufacturers and retailers.
è Policy assessment and identification of best practice
All 25 member states were reviewed but the main focus was on the six largest EU members: Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain and Poland. The project was a follow-up market appraisal for widescreen TV in the wake of the Commission’s “Action plan for widescreen television” which was the object of a previous evaluation in 2000.
Poland: New regulatory framework for electronic communication networks and services – Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Infrastructure - project co-financed by Phare programme and Polish government (2004-2005) Value: €320 000
Eurostrategies supported the ministry of infrastructure, which is responsible for telecoms sector policy, concerning the changes required in Polish legislation to ensure full compliance with the NRF. The purpose was awareness-raising and training for ministry officials in their policy-making functions under the EU’s regulatory framework for electronic communications. Specifically the project looks at:
· Transposition of the NRF requirements into Polish law, including adjustments to current legislation to establish appropriate means to implement the NRF
· Identification of relevant markets in Poland
· Preparing secondary legislation in areas like local loop unbundling, leased lines, numbering, carrier selection and pre-selection
· Identifying possibilities for promoting universal access to ICTs in Poland
· A review and analysis of relevant legislation adopted in EU member states and candidate countries.
· The development of telecoms infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged areas
Eurostrategies organised and ran a series of workshops and follow-up consultation and counselling sessions with individuals or groups of participants. The workshops were attended by ministry staff, representatives from URTiP (the Polish regulator) and, where appropriate, participants from service providers as well.
European Commission Framework Contract 2000-2005 (Lot 3 IT and telecommunications): European Commission, Brussels Value: €1 650 000
Eurostrategies bid successfully for this global framework contract for IT and telecoms, with special responsibility for telecoms and broadcasting projects in a consortium headed by Sema Group Belgium. More than 30 projects were carried out under this contract. Individual projects falling under this framework contract cannot exceed 200,000 euros each.
Under this contract, Eurostrategies carried out projects covering all areas of telecommunications and broadcasting, including
- project supervision and implementation,
- network security,
- technical assistance to ministries, operators and regulators.
We also acted as advisers and legal drafters of legislation on regulatory reform, while providing training on regulation, and the adoption of the acquis communautaire in telecoms and broadcasting.
A Study on the economic effects of market opening in network industries supplying services of General Economic Interest – European Commission (2005-2006) Value: €250 000
The removal of technical and administrative barriers to cross-border activities and the ending of monopoly rights have brought a more efficient functioning of European product and service markets. This study looked at the impact of market opening in seven network industries providing services of general economic interest. These were telecommunications (fixed and mobile), electricity, gas, postal services, air transport, railways and urban transport.
Earlier studies had looked at ways of estimating the sectoral effects of market opening, and the induced effects of changes at sectoral level. This present study analysed the distributional effects of market reform on four key dimensions:
è By category of economic actor
è By income group
è The effect on territorial and regional cohesion
è The impact on the environment
The idea was to see if the price reductions brought about by liberalisation had other impacts in terms of quality and availability of services. In other words, were advantages in one dimension (prices) offset or not by negative consequences in areas like accessibility or sustainable development. Eurostrategies developed a methodology to determine if (and how) the market-opening process has benefited certain categories of actors or geographic regions as opposed to others, and how the specific market-opening measures affected the link between economic growth and environmental impact in different areas like air and water quality, waste management and land use.
Assessment of the Member States measures aimed at fulfilling certain general interest objectives linked to broadcasting in the context of the new regulatory framework (NRF ) – European Commission (2002-2003) Value: €200 000
The EU’s new regulatory framework (NRF) for the converged sectors of telecommunications and broadcasting took effect in July 2003. During this project, carried out in the run-up to the implementation of the NRF, Eurostrategies provided the Commission with key elements for measuring the potential economic impact that the new regulatory framework would have on the broadcasting, broadband and internet markets of EU member states.
Eurostrategies analysed the progress concerning the adoption of the NRF in different member states and drew up a methodology for evaluating the costs of these general (public) interest obligations as they applied to market players in the broadcasting sector.
These included special responsibilities applied to public broadcasters and others (such as “must-carry” obligations imposed on cable networks in some EU member states as well as access conditions to programme guides and conditional access systems).
Leading stakeholders were interviewed by a Eurostrategies team in all EU countries. The conclusions of the project were presented at a major public workshop in Brussels.
Digital Switchover in the Member States – European Commission (2002-2003)
Value: €300 000
Digital transmission has a series of benefits: increase of available bandwidth, reduction of transmission costs, increase in image/sound quality, ability to provide interactive television services including Video on Demand or Internet access. The faster digital penetration is achieved the earlier policy makers will be able to turn-off analogue transmission and re-farm the released frequencies.
The European Commission asked Eurostrategies partner company, BIPE, to survey all European players involved in the process or impacted by the switchover: TV content providers, free-to-air broadcasters, pay-TV operators, transmission services providers (satellite, terrestrial network operators), cable operators, consumer electronics manufacturers, governments and regulators, other users of the radio spectrum. Based on more than 80 face-to-face interviews in seven EU countries, followed by a workshop in Brussels, BIPE issued a report that examined : (i) the economic cost/benefits to be expected from the switch to digital television, (ii) the official policy plans (in digital television and spectrum management) that are proposed or implemented in Member States and their possible impact on markets and on spectrum management efficiency, (iii) the objectives and strategies of all the players facing this switchover.