A new body has been established with the responsibility of controlling regulations in the broadband and communications sector.

Called the Body of European Regulations in Electronic Communications (BEREC), it is made up of 27 regulators from the European Union's (EU's) member states and will act as a direct replacement for the European Regulators' Group.

The introduction of fibre optic broadband across Europe is expected to be one of key priorities on its agenda for 2010, along with issues such as net neutrality and universal service obligations.

Ed Richards, the Chief Executive of Ofcom, welcomed the launch of the organisation, calling it "a major step forward".

"BEREC establishes authority in the group of national regulators, working together to the common goal of serving the interests of consumers and the communications sector as a whole," he added.

According to figures from the statistical office of the EU, Eurostat, nine out of ten businesses across the continent have access to internet connections.