Brussels, 29/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on Thursday 29 September that it was continuing the infringement procedure against Denmark over universal services. It sent a reasoned opinion (the second stage in the procedure) requesting that Denmark comply fully with EU rules on the financing of basic telecoms services provided to consumers, known as “universal services”. In particular, the Commission has asked Denmark to remove maritime emergency services from the list of services for which the telecom sector has to bear the cost of provision. While member states are entitled to add country-specific services, such as maritime emergency services, to the basic list of services laid down in the Universal Service Directive that all telecoms operators must provide, they cannot require the telecom sector to bear the cost of these additional services, the Commission states. Denmark now has two months to respond to the Commission.
The Universal Service Directive requires countries to ensure that basic telecoms services are available to consumers at an affordable price. This includes a safety net of services such as a comprehensive directory of subscribers, public pay telephones, accessibility of such telephones to users with disabilities and the quality of services. The directive also sets out how universal services should be financed, in order to avoid market distortions and ensure that universal services are provided in the most efficient manner. (IL/transl.rt)