Brussels, 13/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday afternoon 13 October in Brussels, Commission Vice-President in charge of the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip and Commissioner for the Digital Economy Gunther Oettinger took part in a summit co-organised by the British daily Financial Times (FT) and the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) in Brussels on the theme of European telecommunications policy in the digital age.
In his speech, Ansip drew attention to the fact that regulatory models across the globe are being challenged by innovative ideas, new digital business models and changing consumer demands. He also underlined that Europe's telecoms rules need updating for the digital age; with no more barriers to access, splintered markets or national distortions. Ansip stated: “As regulators, what we can do is to provide the appropriate environment to underpin a single telecoms market driven by fair competition”. The Vice-President added: “Pro-competitive regulation benefits consumers as much as the telecoms industry. It is competition that will attract the investment to develop the high-speed broadband networks that Europeans need”.
European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) representatives reiterated their wish to scale down regulation in the telecommunications sector which they believed was having a damaging impact on investment. Mike Fries, the vice-president of Liberty Global, stated: “We need more deregulation. Regulation has already done its job for European consumers (…) If you want telecoms to invest, they need to be able to manage their networks and innovate”. Stéphane Richard, the CEO of Orange, explained: “The main problem is that EU regulation is based on an analysis dating back 20 years ago. We need a total renewal of framework”. (Original version in French by Isabelle Lamberty)