Brussels, 14/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission finished its 200th evaluation of measures proposed by the national regulation authorities (NRA) to improve competition between the electronic communications markets, by approving measures proposed by the Swedish authority to increase competition on the leased lines market (segments of fixed broadband networks used by companies for the secure and high-speed transfer electronic data). The Swedish NRA said that this market was not subject to effective competition, and therefore proposed measures allowing other operators to continue to develop their own broadband services and to provide a competitive challenge to the dominant player on the market (TeliaSonera), in the interest of professional users. Article 7 of the framework-directive on electronic communications, which entered into force on 23 July 2003, brings in a control mechanism which is exercised by the European Commission on the NRAs, which carry out analyses of the electronic communications markets of their country and propose appropriate regulation measures when they note that competition is non-existent or limited on a particular segment. Before they are implemented, these measures must receive the approval of the Commission. This article is based on the principle that no public intervention is necessary if it can be demonstrated that a market is already subject to sufficient competition. The Commission supports the abandoning of regulation methods by the national regulatory authorities, particularly when it comes to leased lines, fixed and mobile communications, and is opposed to the creation of any measure when the market forces are able to guarantee effective competition. According to the Commission, the introduction of additional regulations on sectors which are functioning well hinders the harmonious development of the sectors, and this opinion is shared by players on the market. Sweden's notification allows the Commission to complete its 200th analysis of national measures, a figure which is to increase over the next year. It is worth noting that the Commission is to open the revision process of the regulatory framework for electronic communications in December, a review process which will end in summer 2006.