About: telecommunications
Fifteen EU countries raise alarm on Europe’s ‘anti-5G movement’
A contingent of EU nations has pressed the European Commission to urgently develop a strategy to counter disinformation related to 5G telecommunications networks, amid concerns that the bloc may miss legally-binding targets for the rollout of new infrastructure.
Concerns emerge over Italy’s ‘monopolistic’ Single Broadband Network plans
Concerns have emerged among EU consumer groups that plans in Italy to establish a single firm overseeing the rollout of the country's future broadband infrastructure could lead to a 'quasi-monopolistic' market structure.
Member states risk ‘breaching EU law’ in 5G delays
EU countries which have not assigned 5G spectrum frequencies by the end of 2020 will be in breach of EU law and could face legal action from the Commission, the EU executive has warned.
US praises German moves to sideline Huawei from 5G networks
The US administration has welcomed reports that Germany is set to take a tougher stance against the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, also noting that they would welcome the country into the US's so-called 5G 'clean network' program.
Commission concedes delay in 5G deployment across EU
The European Commission has admitted that there will be a delay on targets to launch 5G telecommunications networks across all EU member states by the end of 2020, owing to postponements in spectrum frequency auctions that have occurred as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Huawei banned from UK 5G network, pleads with Johnson to reconsider
The UK has excluded Huawei from its future 5G network infrastructure, the government announced on Tuesday (14 July). The Chinese telecommunications firm immediately urged Boris Johnson's administration to reconsider the decision, seen as a substantial setback for its business in Europe.
Commission seeks ‘largest possible participation’ of EU citizens for COVID-19 apps
The European Commission has said that the 'largest possible participation' of EU citizens is required in order for coronavirus contact tracing applications to work effectively.
Vestager urges EU member states not to backtrack on 5G
The European Commission's Vice-President for Digital, Margrethe Vestager, has urged EU telecoms ministers to "limit as much as possible" any delays to their 5G spectrum assignments, amid the current challenges to the industry brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
Croatian Presidency pushes for new Commission 5G and 6G action plan
The European Commission is under pressure to propose a revised Action Plan for 5G and 6G mobile telecommunications as a means to bolster the bloc's connectivity, according to a draft text from the Croatian Presidency of the EU seen by EURACTIV.
‘Major security and privacy issues’ in using location data for COVID-19 apps, Commission says
The European Commission has warned against the processing and storage of location data in the use of mobile applications designed to trace the potential spread of the coronavirus across the bloc.
5G rollout will lead to an ‘increased exposure to attacks,’ EU says
5G security standards are set to be bolstered across the EU, amid fears that non-EU states may be trying to infiltrate the bloc's next-generation mobile technology networks. The EU has, however, pledged not to exclude any specific suppliers, despite heavy US pressure against the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
Poland’s Play plans 5G roll-out in Gdynia in race to offer first services
Polish mobile operator Play Communications is planning to roll out a 5G network in the northern city of Gdynia, its chief executive said, as the country’s telcoms providers rush to be the first to offer commercial next generation services.
UK minister: Huawei leaks ‘unacceptable’, criminal investigation possible
British culture minister Jeremy Wright said on Thursday (25 April) he could not rule out a criminal investigation over the “unacceptable” disclosure of confidential discussions on the role of China’s Huawei Technologies in 5G network supply chains.
Commission will ‘try harder’ on 90-day roaming charge limit
European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday ordered officials to draw up new plans for the EU's landmark free mobile phone roaming policy after it ran into fierce criticism.
Andrus Ansip wants European aid to finance the African digital market
Digital development should be put at the heart of the EU's aid policy, the Commissioner for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip, said at the European Development Days event in Brussels. EURACTIV France reports.
Investors warn UK referendum ‘already causing a short-term effect’
According to Global Infrastructure Investor Association head Andy Rose, members of his organisation, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, see Europe as an attractive place to invest. But, he warned, the upcoming Brexit referendum is causing negative “short-term effects”.
INFOGRAPHIC: An increasingly-connected developing world
Despite the fact that costs are still high, internet access and mobile phone use is becoming increasingly widespread, including in developing countries.
Ministers give telecoms proposals tepid approval, timing in doubt
European ministers yesterday (5 December) gave conditional support for the European Commission’s 'Connected Continent' proposals for greater harmonisation of the EU telecoms markets, but cast doubt over the substance and timing.
Chinese telco boss: ‘The EU leads on 5G research’
Ryan Ding, the chief executive for carrier networks at Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, believes that a major revolution is under way in ICT, with cloud-computing at its core. He tells EURACTIV how Europe is leading the way when it comes to research on super-fast next generation 5G networks but is too slow when it comes to actual network deployment.
Mobile makes most value of spectrum: Report
The economic value of radio frequency spectrum used by mobile phones will almost double over the next 10 years as a result of smartphone and super-fast broadband use, says a report to be published today (20 June).
Commission ‘ready to fire’ in China telecoms probe
The European Commission warned China on Wednesday (15 May) it was ready to launch an investigation into anti-competitive behaviour by producers of mobile telecommunications equipment, but stopped short of beginning proceedings.
De Gucht juggles politics, diplomacy in high-stakes China gambit
Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht could take action this week against two Chinese telecommunications companies over allegations they benefit from state subsidies, a move that could hobble negotiations and precipitate a trade war.
EU blocks German plan for higher fixed phone rates
The European Commission blocked plans by Germany to raise the fees operators such as Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone charge each other to connect fixed-line phone calls, in a sign of how Brussels is seeking to influence telecoms policy.