The 'reasoned opinion' comes in response to Gibraltar's failure to fully implement five directives collectively known as the 2002 electronic communications package, which aims to remove barriers for new entrants into the communications market and ensure regulatory consistency across the European Union.

Whilst Gibraltar has been drafting the necessary legislation, government officials have stated that the complexity of the new regulations means that the transposition of the directive is a lengthy process, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle.

The reasoned opinion follows a formal notice issued by the European commission in July, and the British government now has two months to respond with a progress report on Gibraltar's efforts to implement the laws. If the UK fails to respond in this time, or if the EC considers that not enough action is being taken, then the British government faces legal action in the European Court of justice.