Brussels, 13/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Europe would have much to gain if a common approach to universal services and the European emergency number 112 were to be adopted, but there are still some outstanding key issues before this can be done, said those taking part in a hearing on the subject, which was chaired by the MEP Sylvana Rapti (S&D, Greece) and held on 11 April. Universal service obligations, which were initially set in place for landlines, must now develop to remain in step with new technologies and the objectives laid down by the digital strategy, which means they must also apply to mobile services, said Professor Alexandre De Streel of the University of Namur. In the view of Sokratis Katsikas (University of Piraeus), universal service obligations are an incentive for the development of broadband, but this development comes at a cost which the consumers may end up paying. Remko Bos of the new telecoms authority BEREC, said a single strategy for universal service obligations and extending broadband is not recommended, because this would bring about extra costs and may cause competition distortions. Flexibility is needed, but with serious safeguards. Lastly, Lorelien Hoet of ETNO, the association which represents the interests of the incumbent operators, said there should not be a link between the universal service obligations and the universal broadband strategy. The European radio spectrum policy is a better basis, as mobile broadband is a far more profitable solution than landlines. Other questions were raised as regards the universal service obligations for the disabled (they should have access on an equal footing) and in remote areas (the market alone cannot resolve problems with access to broadband in these areas).
The problem with the European emergency number 112, which comes under the “universal service” directive stipulating that the member states must ensure a fast and efficient service for people dialling 112, is that 26% of Europeans are still not aware of it, stressed Vesa Terava, the head of unit at DG Information Society of the European Commission and Demetrios Pyrros, chair of the consultative committee of EENA (European Emergency Number Association). Jean-Jacques Sahel, an expert employed by Skype, the specialist in telephone communication over the internet, lamented the fact that Skype is unable to offer 112, due to a lack of cooperation on the part of the telecoms operators. (I.L./transl.fl)