Leaders at the European Council summit in Brussels have expressed support for the European Commission’s proposals to create a single telecoms market.
The council said in its draft conclusions on discussions at the summit so far that “there is an…
Leaders at the European Council summit in Brussels have expressed support for the European Commission’s proposals to create a single telecoms market.
The council said in its draft conclusions on discussions at the summit so far that “there is an urgent need for an integrated single digital and telecoms market, benefiting consumers and companies”.
The council added it welcomes the commission’s ‘connected continent’ telecoms reform package, championed by commissioner Neelie Kroes, and encourages the legislator to carry out “an intensive examination with a view to its timely adoption”.
“Overcoming fragmentation, promoting effective competition and attracting private investment through an improved, predictable and stable EU-wide legal framework is crucial,” the council said, adding that member states need to have some flexibility to adopt additional consumer protection measures.
The council also highlighted the importance it places on better coordinating spectrum assignment procedures throughout the continent, while still respecting “national competencies” in the matter.
Speaking at a summit press conference this afternoon, European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said the council has pledged “to truly connect our continent” by bringing down digital barriers, such as roaming charges, and encouraging investment in high-speed broadband, 4G and related projects.
Shortly after, EC president Jose Manuel Durao Barroso said participants in a summit working session on the digital agenda agreed that the overly-fragmented nature of the European telecoms market needs to be addressed promptly.
“The telecoms reform package which the Commission tabled in September will help us to address these important gaps,” he pointed, adding that he hopes discussions at the summit will “create the momentum for swift progress”.
Kroes welcomed EU leaders’ reaction to the telecoms reform package in a blog post, describing the first day of the summit as a “good [one] for Europe”.
She noted that the council has called for “timely adoption” of the package, adding that urgency is needed in light of the upcoming European Parliament elections. Kroes added that the relevant parliamentary committees still aim to adopt changes before the end of the current parliamentary term.
The GSMA trade body of mobile operators welcomed European leaders’ recognition of the digital economy, including telecoms, as a key driver for growth in Europe.
In a statement on its response to the summit, GSMA said it urges all concerned with the ‘connected continent’ package “to start work as quickly as possible on more comprehensive proposals that can effectively address the underlying reasons for Europe’s lagging investment in communications infrastructure”.
GSMA director general Anne Bouvert highlighted the importance of developing predictable spectrum policy and greater flexibility for licence holders in order to secure necessary future investments.
Trade association Cable Europe also commended the council’s support of creating a single telecoms, and wider digital, market.
“It is the first time that the digital economy has been brought to the highest level of European decision making and this is applauded by Cable Europe,” the organisation said in a statement.
However, Cable Europe contended that more needs to be done to boost growth in the sector, saying new legislation should complement, rather than overturn, the existing regulatory framework.
“Telecom liberalisation in the EU has delivered good results,” the organisation said. “Cable has emerged as one of the strongest contenders to the incumbent telecom companies … This healthy competition on the market should pave the way to a lighter regulatory regime going forward.”
