This article assesses some aspects of innovative developments in the deployment of electronic communications networks in the European Union: software defined networks (SDN) and network functional virtualization (NFV). The overall research for this article focuses on the re-regulation of the 2018 European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), and the 2018 Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) Regulation. It addresses the Commission's desire to promote innovation to compete better on the global communications and technology markets, whilst also mitigating network security risks. After an introduction of the technological aspects, this Article discusses: (i) the innovation that the deployment of SDN and NFV by software suppliers or service providers may bring to, predominantly, mobile electronic communications networks; (ii) the legal status of SDN and NFV, and, possible rights and obligations for the suppliers; and (iii) the allocation of the responsibility and liability for and costs of network and information security where SDN and NFV are deployed in electronic communications networks. The context is the network deployment of 5G frequencies in the period 2020–2022.

本文评估了欧盟电子通信网络部署中创新发展的一些方面：软件定义网络（SDN）和网络功能虚拟化（NFV）。本文的总体研究重点是对2018年欧洲电子通信法规（EECC）和2018年欧洲电子通信监管机构（BEREC）法规进行重新监管。它满足了委员会促进创新以更好地在全球通信和技术市场上竞争的愿望，同时还减轻了网络安全风险。在介绍了技术方面之后，本文讨论：（i）软件供应商或服务提供商部署SDN和NFV可能带来的创新，主要是，移动电子通信网络；（ii）SDN和NFV的法律地位，以及供应商可能的权利和义务；（iii）在电子通信网络中部署了SDN和NFV的情况下，对网络和信息安全的责任和义务以及成本的分配。背景是2020-2022年期间5G频率的网络部署。