Broadband
EU caps price of international phone calls in landmark telecoms overhaul
Lawmakers agreed to cap the price of phone calls and SMS messages between EU countries and sealed a deal to encourage investment in fast internet networks during a late-night meeting on Wednesday (6 June).
Germany only in the mid-range of digitalisation, EU index shows
As the European Commission pushes forward with digitalisation policies, its DESI-index is meant to measure how digital individual member states already are. Germany, however, is only in the midfield. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Brussels pivots on controversial investment clause in EU telecoms bill
The European Commission has proposed new criteria to guide investment in telecoms networks, in a twist that is likely to stir disagreement as EU negotiators try to strike compromise over a draft telecoms bill.
EU cybersecurity boss eyes hardware as early target for certification plans
A draft bill to set up an EU system certifying the cybersecurity level of tech products is still trapped up in negotiations after the European Commission announced the overhaul last September.
EU’s 5G hopes at stake over disagreement on radio spectrum
Much of the Brussels policy crowd visiting this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona headed home early to monitor, lobby or take part in another round of tense negotiations over a draft EU telecoms law that is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday (28 February-1March).
Trump’s telecoms regulator: the EU’s ‘complexity’ may cause challenges for 5G
A lot of the debate around net neutrality comes from misinformation but "this baseless fearmongering will simply lose credibility" once it becomes clear that the internet economy has continued to thrive, US telecoms regulator Ajit Pai told EURACTIV on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Tensions over net neutrality shake up Mobile World Congress
Sparks flew at a public discussion over net neutrality at one of the world’s biggest tech conferences on Monday (27 February), as EU tech chief Andrus Ansip defended the bloc’s two-year-old legislation while sharing a stage with the American regulator who just repealed a similar US law.
Mobile World Congress: Europe rushes to keep pace on connectivity
The EU is racing to make the superfast 5G mobile technology available for consumers by 2025, but is lagging behind faster competitors in Asia and the US.
Conservative MEPs ask Merkel to reverse telecoms talks in coalition negotiation
Eight German conservative MEPs have written to Chancellor Angela Merkel to complain about a controversial telecoms investment plan, which crept into coalition talks this week between Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.
German SPD pushes for looser telecoms rules in coalition deal
German Social Democrats want to guarantee looser regulation of telecoms giants as part of a potential coalition plan to govern with Christian Democrats.
EU telecoms regulator warns US proposal on 5G would ‘end in disaster’
A proposal from the Trump administration to build public-funded 5G networks will “end in disaster”, the EU’s top telecoms regulator has warned, urging Europe to speed up plans for its own fast internet networks.
Bulgaria makes telecoms overhaul a focus during Council presidency
Bulgaria will focus its attention on speeding up negotiations on a major telecoms bill when it takes over the six-month, rotating presidency of the Council of ministers in January.
Telecoms ministers snub Commission’s spectrum overhaul in 5G strategy
Telecoms ministers from EU countries agreed on a plan to set up fast 5G internet networks by 2025, five years after the European Commission's original proposal, and snubbed a proposal to reform rules for selling off radio spectrum.
Hogan pleased with Greek efforts to close ‘digital gap’ in rural areas
EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan is satisfied with the Greek government’s push for rural broadband, claiming that it will help farmers increase production.
Bulgarian MEPs discuss EU’s future, dissect Juncker, Macron speeches
The European Movement and the Union of European Federalists held a discussion on Friday (13 October) in Sofia on the EU’s future with three prominent Bulgarian MEPs from three different political forces.
Internet of things: Litmus test of the EU’s will to create a digital single market
The internet of things is at a crucial turning point. EU policymakers need to create the right environment to help it grow, write Brian Humphries and Joakim Reiter.
Pilar del Castillo: With changed rules, EU telecoms bill ‘can really boost investment’
Pilar del Castillo, the Spanish centre-right MEP leading negotiations on the EU's new telecoms bill, defends in an interview the European Parliament’s agreement on telecoms competition.
MEPs approve softened telecoms investment rules, price cap on international calls
MEPs in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee (ITRE) approved a sweeping telecoms bill on Monday (2 October) that watered down an EU proposal to spur network investment and added a controversial price cap on calls between member states.
Estonia confident politics won’t overshadow Tallinn ‘digital summit’
Estonia is hosting a summit focused on technology issues this Friday (29 September) but will have to battle for EU leaders’ attention less than one week after the German election, a fresh round of Brexit talks and French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals on the future of Europe.
EU digital official: Cyber threats know no borders
Linda Cogruedo Steneberg, Director at the the European Commission's DG Connect , revealed how the EU executive is trying to extend broadband coverage and democratise the internet, as well as protecting our privacy as hacker attacks become more commonplace. EURACTIV Spain reports.
German parties clash over creating digital ministry after election
German political parties disagree over whether there should be a new federal ministry overseeing all digital policies after the 24 September election.
MEPs want to lower prices for international phone calls
MEPs want to put a price cap on calls and text messages from one EU country to another, arguing those rates are outrageously high for many consumers.
Rural areas have bad internet access in most member states
Many rural parts of the EU have poor or no broadband internet, even as lawmakers in Brussels discuss new rules to speed up connectivity.