During the debate on progress on the file at Tuesday 9 June’s Telecommunications Council, several European Union countries have called for simplification of the single passport proposed by the European Commission as part of the legislative package on digital networks (Digital Networks Act, DNA) (see EUROPE 13791/8), intended to facilitate pan-European operations and services, as well as to preserve national powers over spectrum management. At this stage of the discussions, the single passport, spectrum management and end-user rights remain the main outstanding issues. The text is still at the technical examination stage.
During the debate, Austria, Latvia and the Czech Republic argued for simplification of the single passport procedure. For Sweden, it “could be replaced by a simple notification procedure at national level”, while Slovenia called for the current authorisation regime to be maintained so as not to increase the burden on national regulatory authorities.
As regards spectrum management, Germany opposed any change to the current system for the allocation of powers. Other Member States, including Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands, Estonia, France, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia, stressed the need to preserve national powers and interests in this area.
As for the gradual phase-out of the copper network, Austria took the view that this should not be imposed, but “guided by the market”, while the Czech Republic warned of the risks of legal liability that could arise from banning the copper network. (Original version in French by Ana Pisonero Hernández)