NORWAY Law and Practice Contributed by: Kari Gimmingsrud, Stian Hultin Oddbjørnsen and Andreas Bernt, Haavind
are currently considering a proposed amend - ment to the Norwegian Broadcasting Act, sug - gesting implementing the rules from Directive 2018/1808, which amends Directive 2010/13/ EU (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) con - cerning user-generated video platform services (such as YouTube) over which the provider of the service has no editorial control. Licensing and Registration Processes Application for a broadcasting licence is done by sending a completed form to the National Media Authority. Licensed parties will be subject to fees, regulated by the Ministry of Culture. The fees may vary from time to time and for different providers. Registration of a broadcasting service is done on the website of the Media Authority after creating a user account. Other Main Requirements The legal framework sets specific requirements for the different categories of audiovisual media services. This includes requirements for label - ling age limits and advertisements, and rules on reporting to the authorities and protection meas - ures for younger viewers. 6. Telecommunications 6.1 Scope of Regulation and Pre- Marketing Requirements The new Electronic Communications Act came into force in January 2025 and applies to: • all activities related to electronic communica - tions and associated equipment; • data centres;
• the management and use of the electro - magnetic frequency spectrum and numbers, names, domain names and addresses; • all emissions of electromagnetic waves from electronic communications and all uninten - tional emissions of electromagnetic waves that may interfere with electronic communica - tions; and • content services that are invoiced together with the electronic communication service. The act is neutral regarding variations in tech - nology and therefore encompasses all forms of electronic communication. Further obligations for providers derive from the Act’s correspond - ing regulations. Registration Requirements for Electronic Communications Providers There is no general requirement for regulators’ approval to offer electronic communication ser - vices in Norway. However, providers of public electronic communications networks and pub - lic electronic communications services must register with the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) before starting up operations. The business can start when the registration has been sent. The registration obligation does not apply to providers of number-independent per - son-to-person communication services, such as Messenger and WhatsApp. To register, the provider must complete Nkom’s form. Registered companies appear on Nkom’s public list of registered providers. Registration and Security Requirements for Data Centres Data centre operators are subject to a registra - tion obligation and the security provisions of the Electronic Communications Act and Regula -
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