Brussels, 06/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has responded to the desire of the Council of Ministers to delay ending roaming charges, initially set for 2016 by the Commission, by two years. On 4 March, the Council gave the Latvian Presidency a mandate to open trialogue discussions with the Parliament on the connected continent package after the member states managed finally to agree on the two outstanding points: roaming and net neutrality (see EUROPE 11267).
In a press release, the Parliament says it will “try to convince member states to ban, rather than lower, roaming charges and include proper safeguards for an open internet (net neutrality)”. MEPs also hope that the Council will give the Latvian Presidency a broader mandate, to include the radio spectrum and frequency-sharing. Parliament, which adopted its first reading position almost a year ago, recommends ending roaming charges by 15 December 2015. MEPs want clear net neutrality rules that prevent internet access providers from promoting some services at the expense of basic services. They have shortened the European Commission's list of “exceptional” cases in which internet access providers could still be entitled to block or slow down the internet. Trialogue discussions between the Council and the Parliament to try to come to a common position are expected to begin at the end of March.
In a press release, Marc Tarabella (S&D, Belgium) railed: “National governments have preferred to align themselves with the telecoms companies rather than look after the interests of consumers: it's completely unacceptable!” Net neutrality, he said, “does not interest the member states”. The Council does not want these rules to be too tough or to be too much in favour of citizens, he regretted, opining that “net neutrality is in danger too” (our translation). (Isabelle Lamberty)