The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has launched a public consultation on its draft “Further Guidance on 5G Network Slicing,” an annex to the EU Open Internet Regulation guidelines.

Approved during BEREC’s 67th ordinary meetings in June 2026, the draft guidance aims to clarify how 5G network slicing should be applied within the existing Open Internet Regulation framework. The regulation has, since 2016, ensured equal treatment of internet traffic across the EU while supporting innovation and safeguarding end-user rights.

The new consultation responds to calls from stakeholders and the European Commission for greater regulatory clarity on how emerging 5G capabilities fit within current rules. While BEREC maintains that the existing framework remains adequate, it acknowledges that additional guidance could help support market development and innovation.

The draft document explains how network slicing can be used for internet access and specialised services in line with regulatory requirements, and includes illustrative use cases and preliminary assessments. It was developed following input from operators, equipment vendors, and service providers.

Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on whether the use cases are representative, whether additional scenarios should be included, and what further clarification may be needed. Contributions can be submitted until 6 August 2026.