Commission recasts telecom proposals

Roaming Internet access will be cheaper

The extent of the powers conferred on the future European telecommunications authority, the consistency of remedial measures imposed on the Community market, investment in new networks and data security are among the main themes reviewed by the European Commission (EC) in a new proposal for reform telecommunications, which aims to integrate the requirements of the European Parliament and the European Council.

In the new legislative texts for telecommunications, the European Executive proposes to create a European Telecommunications Authority with a substantially smaller size and competence than originally planned.

«In accordance with the expressed wishes of the Parliament and the Council, it will be a small and efficient body, focused on the regulation of telecommunications, and without competences with regard to the spectrum and security of networks», he says in a press release. to the Commission’s initial proposal, the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) will not merge with the new body, but will remain an autonomous entity, as requested by Parliament and the Council, adds the EC.

The amendment package also includes the reinforcement of corrective measures for the Community telecommunications market. «The rules in force under which national regulators consult the Commission and their peers in other Member States on draft regulatory measures are strengthened to ensure direct and efficient participation by the new ‘Body of European Telecommunications Regulators’, indicates the EC.

In particular, national regulators may have to amend or withdraw a draft measure if the Commission and the new body consider that it would create an obstacle to the single market or would be in any way incompatible with Community law, it is explained.

The EC also promises to strengthen strategic policy coordination for the radio spectrum with the presentation of a multiannual program, to be adopted jointly by Parliament and the Council.

The Commission’s role in coordinating conditions and procedures regarding spectrum usage rights is now clearly centered on «pan-European services», as proposed by the European Parliament. However, the creation of a new advisory body for radio spectrum policy, suggested by Parliament, did not receive the Commission’s acceptance, «to avoid duplication of efforts with the existing Radio Spectrum Policy Group», is justified .

With regard to investment in new networks, the Commission proposes to provide, in 2009, more detailed guidelines in the regulatory field for next generation access networks, after Parliament confirmed and strengthened the existing Community rules applicable to investment in transmission networks. high speed broadband, rejecting all requests for «regulatory slack» and promoting an efficient investment in new fiber optic networks.

With regard to data security, in the new proposal the EC reaffirms the need for telecommunications operators to notify regulators and affected customers whenever there is a breach of security, in a «fast, simple and effective» process.

In November 2007, the Commission presented proposals to reform EU telecommunications rules with a view to creating a single telecommunications market in the EU «with more rights for consumers and businesses, more competition and more investment to boost the deployment of cross-border services and making high-speed wireless broadband available to all citizens «.

The proposals presented today by the EC will be discussed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers for Telecommunications scheduled for 27 November next.