Brussels, 12/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 11 March, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes welcomed the European telecommunications regulator BEREC's positive opinion on her draft regulation for regulated wholesale network access. “I am very happy that (…) BEREC fully supports our overarching objective to encourage high-speed internet investment across Europe and our strategic objective of ensuring predictable and stable access copper prices, effective non-discrimination obligations that sustain competition, and pricing flexibility for such services to meet demand”, Kroes stated.
The draft recommendation for regulated wholesale network access focuses on costing methodology and non-discrimination obligations. Announced by Kroes on 12 July last year, the draft aims to put forward a stable regulatory framework to ensure consistency in the whole of the European Union, to establish a single telecoms market and to contribute to achieving the objectives set for digital in the EUROPE 2020 strategy with regard to the roll-out of high-speed internet and broadband. In its opinion of 11 March, at the end of its first plenary session of 2013, BEREC points out that it largely supports the Commission's objectives, reiterating its desire to stimulate investment in broadband in Europe, while continuing to encourage competition. “Europe's regulators share the Commission's determination to ensure a transparent, predictable and stable regulatory environment in support of the roll-out of NGA networks”, BEREC states. Thanks to BEREC's positive opinion, the Commission will be able to finalise arrangements quickly and to present the final text of the draft recommendation in the coming months, Kroes is pleased to state. She hopes now to obtain the support of the industry and that it will make the necessary investment. “Let us not forget that high speed internet represents the basis for Europe's competitiveness in today's and, even more so, in tomorrow's world. It's 'digital oxygen' to boost growth and jobs, and the backbone for more efficient businesses both small and large and for more efficient and better public services”, Kroes stated. (IL/transl.fl)