Brussels, 03/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - European rules need to be adjusted to the current market dynamic in order to encourage technological innovation and thus respond to citizens' expectations in terms of web accessibility and 5G. These are the preliminary findings of public consultations on the need for high speed internet in Europe and the revision of the telecoms framework, published by the European Commission on Thursday 3 March.
Revision of the telecoms framework. Broadly speaking, respondents feel that competition law should continue to support European regulations, although they admit the need to adapt politically to improve connectivity and evolve the internal market. The Commission mentions differing views among supporters of sector-specific rules on the protection of end users, based on minimum high-level harmonisation (the administrations of a number of member states, the regulatory community and consumer organisations) and supporters of across-the-board legislation based on total harmonisation, particularly for services (the telecoms sector).
The discussion of 'new services' is highly revealing: the telecoms sector in general and some administrations are calling for some reciprocity (similar rules for similar services). On the other hand, 'over-the-top' players like Viber and WhatsApp, sellers of software and equipment, cable operators and a number of broadcasters feel that the concept of electronic communication services, as currently defined, has proved its value.
In terms of spectrum management, industry recommends a more coordinated approach in order to reduce legal uncertainty and encourage investment. The member states' authorities take a similar view, but stress that the coordination must be voluntary and take a bottom-up approach. Some call for a better balance between harmonisation and flexibility.
Finally, when it comes to universal service obligations, the majority of respondents are in favour of a full review of the current universal service system. Member states' administrations stress the need to maintain universal services, while allowing a degree of flexibility at national level for its financing and application on broadband. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) is in favour of keeping the existing universal service obligations.
The need for high-speed connections. By and large, many users feel that their needs for high-speed and high-quality connections are not being met. They expect their need for internet services and applications to increase by 2025 (in terms of both mobile and fixed connectivity) and say that political measures are needed to support the development of online infrastructure to match their future needs. The aim of this consultation was to draw up a balance sheet and understand connectivity needs in Europe with a view to developing public policies to accompany the deployment of suitable connected networks that are future-ready.
Both consultations ran from 11 September to 7 December 2015. The consultation on the review of the telecoms framework attracted 244 responses, mostly from electronic communications networks and service providers, while the one on needs for high speed generated 1,551 responses, mostly from Germany. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)