Tag: telecoms regulatory framework

In a surprise move, the European Parliament yesterday (6 May) blocked a wide-ranging reform of EU telecoms rules by rejecting an earlier compromise with member states over the protection of Internet users' rights. The rejection came in response to a draft French anti-piracy bill, which had caused an uproar among MEPs and consumer groups.

As European telecoms ministers head towards a "minimalist" deal to reform EU telecoms and internet rules, Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding threatened to withdraw her proposal and put an end to the year-long negotiations.

The European Commission has drafted a revised set of rules for the Internet and telecoms sector to be presented in November. Overruling a European Parliament vote earlier in September, Brussels is pushing for more European rather than national control over telecoms.

The European Parliament yesterday (24 September) approved a broad revision of the rules governing the Internet and telecoms sectors in a bid to boost competition and offer a wider range of services to consumers. Some provisions originally proposed by the Commission have been watered down. 

European telecoms ministers are expected to deal a final blow to Commission plans to set up a new EU-wide telecoms authority when they meet later today (12 June). 

As the European Commission prepares new guidelines to deploy high-speed fibre cables across the EU, major telecom operators are recommending an approach similar to mobile telephony, based on competing networks. But such a move is rejected by new market entrants, who argue against duplicating expensive infrastructure.

The public role of television should be protected in the allocation of radio frequencies made available by the changeover from analogue to digital TV, MEPs argued in a Parliament hearing yesterday (27 March).

The EU's proposed Telecoms authority should be responsible for the security of communication networks, which face a growing number of attacks in an area where Europe is not yet well protected. This is the argument of Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding, who yesterday defended her proposal against new critics in the EPP-ED Group, Parliament's largest political group.

In its first public hearing on the telecoms review proposed by the Commission in November, the European Parliament raised significant concerns about major elements of the planned reform.

European rules that enable new market entrants to use the incumbent's network under the Access Regulation are affecting investment in the sector and detrimental to consumers in the long run, says a new study supported by Deutsche Telekom.

The European Commission has presented its long-awaited proposal for a review of EU telecom rules. While it pleases new market entrants, the review is set to face the resistance of member states, regulators and incumbent telecoms operators.

France Telecom and incumbent operators voiced 'mixed feelings' over European Commission proposals to overhaul the telecoms market, but new market entrants stressed the supposedly positive impact of regulation on investment.

At a meeting with top officials of the Italian regulatory authority for telecommunications, Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding was determined to introduce functional separation as a "last-resort remedy" in telecoms liberalisation.

Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding faces tough negotiations with member states over the introduction of a European regulator for electronic communications. The proposal is going to be part of the Commission's review of the telecoms regulatory framework, which is due in mid-October. 

The widespread introduction of broadband at affordable prices is one of the chief objectives of the EU's i2010 action plan. Broadband technology allows users to access the Internet at high speeds via their telephone lines (DSL), cable, wireless mobile technologies and satellites. Moreover, the deployment of next generation networks, based on optical fibres, is set to put a new range of super-fast Internet services withing everyone's reach .

Shortly before the presentation of the Commission's proposal for a review of the regulatory framework for telecommunications, Commissioner Viviane Reding and the European Regulators Group (ERG) have declared their joint support for far-reaching structural reforms. 

The liberalisation of the European Telecoms in 1998 marked a milestone for the sector and anticipated the opening up of markets worldwide. However, the technological developments pushed the European authorities to carry out a reform of the common rules. The result was the second telecoms package adopted in April 2002.

Mobile phones and high-speed wireless internet are on the way up in European households.

Competition between different platforms and between new players and incumbents in the telecoms sector causes difficulties for some companies but in the end consumers are the ones who profit, says the EU Information Society Commissioner.

The Commission has taken action against eleven member states who have not transposed important parts of the regulatory framework for electronic communications.

The EU policy to favour new entrants in the telecoms market needs to be shifted to ensure investment in networks is properly rewarded, say large EU telecoms operators.

One and a half years after it was due, Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg and Spain are still dragging their feet on the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

The exemption from local taxes enjoyed by France Télécom between 1994 and 2002 was illegal, according to the Commission. The operator said it will fight the ruling demanding for the monies to be paid back.

163 million euros are to be allocated to the new 'E-Content Plus' programme (2005-2008) to boost consumer demand for high-speed Internet and third generation mobile phones (3G).