BEREC has launched a public consultation on its draft Report on Virtual Worlds (VW) and Web 4.0, approved during the 66th plenary meeting (12-13 March 2026). Contributions can be submitted by 20 April 2026..

The draft report examines the transition to Web 4.0 and immersive services, driven by AI integration, and their impact on industrial processes, online content, and user experience. It covers connectivity developments, network-as-a-service models, industrial and societal use cases, investment and business model challenges for electronic communications operators, and potential regulatory issues such as openness, interoperability, and investment incentives.

The report is structured in five chapters plus a conclusion:

1. Definitions and key characteristics of virtual worlds;

2. Use case examples;

3. Connectivity challenges and network upgrades;

4. Roles and potential revenue streams for electronic communications providers;

5. Regulatory challenges for electronic communications networks and services.