Brussels, 01/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - ETNO, the European Telecommunications Network Operators association, which represents the interests of current network operators, has responded to a number of points raised in the speech by the commissioner responsible for the Digital Strategy, Neelie Kroes, to members of ECTA on Tuesday 30 November. The commissioner affirms that the Commission would be monitoring developments on the national telecommunications markets more closely, particularly the real cost of investments in new generation networks. He also announced the publication of guidelines in 2011, which are aimed to clarify the situation. This speech was welcomed by ECTA (new operators), which had criticised the dominant operators for excessive charges for using their networks (EUROPE 10267).
ETNO shares the Commission's interest in investing, “in upgrading existing networks and deployment of next-generation networks”. As highlighted by Commissioner Kroes in her speech, there is a risk that artificially reduced wholesale charges for copper networks (for established operators) will erode the price level on broadband markets, making fibre products less attractive to invest in. ETNO stresses that sustainable market development depends upon an appropriate evaluation of underlying costs. The organisation wants to further explore this question with the Commission and the BEREC. (I.L./transl.fl)