Brussels, 12/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - Revision of the telecoms package, currently being envisaged by the European Commission, has the support of the main stakeholders.
At a conference organised in Brussels by the European Commission on Wednesday 11 November, stakeholders argued for changes that would encourage investment. However, the idea of creating a “super-agency” to replace the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) was rejected by many, for example, by MEPs Pilar del Castillo-Vera (EPP, Spain) and Mia-Petra Kumpula-Natri (S&D, Finland).
In May of this year, the Commission presented its digital single market strategy (see EUROPE 11309). One of the 16 proposed areas to be worked on is re-evaluation of European telecommunications rules in 2016. This framework is built on a myriad of directives, such as the framework directive (2002/21/EC) and the authorisation (2002/20/EC), access (2002/19/EC), universal service (2002/22/EC) and privacy and electronic communications (2002/58/EC) directives. This hard core of directives was complemented (then reviewed in 2009) by other instruments, such as the BEREC (1211/2009) and roaming fees (717/2007) regulations. In the face of such complexity, the Commission elected to consult stakeholders through a public consultation on the basic legislative instruments (and the BEREC regulation), to run from 11 September to 7 December 2015, and a public hearing on Wednesday 11 November.
“Previously, connectivity was important. Now it is vital. … We can't deny that the regulatory framework has not lived up to its promises in mobile telephony. Europe has made a flying start with 4G, it has to be the leader in 5G” (our translation), said the director general responsible for networks, content and technology at the European Commission's DG Connect by way of introduction. Discussions ranged over fixed and mobile networks, services (including the universal service) and governance, including revision of the BEREC regulation. Stakeholders argued for a framework favourable to investment, that would help bring innovative, high-performance and high-quality services.
“Given current connectivity needs, the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services must be designed to encourage innovation and investment in fixed and mobile networks. Coordination and simplification are crucial. The regulatory approach must be balanced, taking remote and isolated regions into account” (our translation), stated Digital Economy Commissioner Günther Oettinger. (Original version in French by Sophie Petit Jean)