Brussels, 26/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - Telecoms operators have responded after the European Commission's presentation on Wednesday 25 March of the broad thrust of the European digital strategy that will be unveiled on 6 May.
ETNO: the incumbent operators congratulate the Commission's “intense work” and highlights in particular the focus placed on new networks, “an important step towards achieving a fully digitalised Europe”. ETNO calls for a renewed focus to encourage investment in these networks and has published a policy paper addressing the six pillars set out by the Commission for its digital strategy (see EUROPE 11268). In substance, the incumbent operators recommend: 1) putting in place high-performance networks; 2) strengthening competition by reviewing the old rules; 3) encouraging growth and an innovation-based economy; 4) consolidating confidence and security. “The telecoms industry is instrumental to accelerating the implementation of a European digital society. … The potential gain is too high to allow failure”, ETNO emphasises.
ECTA: alternative operators urge the European institutions to be ambitious for the digital future of Europe. They say it is crucial “to identify the real problems and get rid of myths in order to find the right solutions”. One of these myths is that there is under-investment in high-speed broadband infrastructure. According to ECTA's figures, committed investment for the next three years will meet 80% of the needs of fibre optic networks until 2020. The association says that the current competition and regulatory framework does not slow new investment but, rather, encourages it. The alternative operators fear a return to the monopoly of incumbent operators in the new networks if the greatest care is not put into the preparation of the new strategy.
GSMA: the mobile operators association also welcomes the ambition shown by the Commission on the digital future of Europe, pointing out that the technologies are ready in Europe and are only awaiting the infrastructure necessary for deployment. This infrastructure must, they say, be available to companies, big and small, and also to citizens. The new strategic framework needs to be modern and fit for purpose while being sufficiently flexible to be able to adapt to future changes, GSMA goes on. “We must act swiftly and prepare for a digital future that maximises incentives for increased digital investment”, GSMA stresses. (Isabelle Lamberty)