Brussels, 24/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - At the recent general assembly held on 18-19 November in Sarajevo, the ETNO (European Telecommunications Network Operators Association) called upon the European authorities to relax administrative procedures for companies active in the telecommunications sector. ETNO is an association with 41 member companies from 34 European countries, representing the majority of ICT (information and communication technologies) services. "What counts today is the services provided, not the technology that carries them. Regulation must lead to an investment-friendly environment and not hold back innovations", said Michael Bartholomew, director of ETNO. On the new regulatory framework for electronic communications, the sector is calling for a coherent and harmonious transposition in all Member States and a phasing-out of specific legislation, under the objectives of the Telecoms package. According to ETNO, the Commission has not sufficiently acknowledged efforts made by the telecommunications sector to develop infrastructure and set up innovative services, which contribute to growth in the ICT sector. "In the context of the current Commission efforts to put the Lisbon Strategy back on track, moving progressively from artificially sustained competition would give a strong and positive signal to investors and stimulate further growth of the sector and hence the economy as a whole", concluded Mr Bartholomew.