Brussels, 30/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The commissioner responsible for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes, says, in a press release published on 30 August, that “today's guidance to regulators just doesn't give businesses - old or new - the certainty they need to make investments. It is time to change”. The commissioner said “the sector needs more certainty to help it invest and grow”, and then went on to add: “I want citizens to start enjoying the benefits of faster next generation broadband networks”.
Currently, telecoms companies face different charges and regulatory systems from country to country in the EU, despite years of Commission efforts to smooth out these differences. That is why, in general, companies are reluctant to invest large sums in new high-speed networks which, as the Commission underlines, limits competition by making it difficult for companies to enter new markets based on an existing business model. The effect is that Europe is losing the global race to build fast fixed broadband connections. To put it plainly, telecoms companies are under-performing, other businesses are losing competitiveness and frustrated consumers are stuck in the internet slow lane.
Given the long pay-back times for investment in fast broadband (20-30 years), the Commission believes more predictable revenue streams for network owners and predictable prices for access seekers will spur investments in further high speed networks. “Such incentives are necessary if the EU is to reach its targets to get fast broadband to all citizens and businesses by 2020”, the Commission said. (OL/transl.jl)