Commission presents proposals for EU Telecoms Review
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Commissioner Viviane Reding, responsible for Information Society and Media, has presented the long anticipated proposals for the review of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications . |
Commissioner Viviane Reding, responsible for Information Society and Media, has presented the long anticipated proposals for the review of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications on 13 November in Strasbourg.
The package consists of two directives; one on access to, interconnection of, and authorisation of electronic communications networks, and one on universal service and user's rights and the ePrivacy directive; and a regulation establishing the European Electronic Communication Market Authority. In addition, these are accompanied by an impact assessment and a number of explanatory notes, including one on the outcome of the public consultation that took place at the end of 2006.
These new proposals have the consumer as the focal point of attention. As Commissioner Reding said: “Today's telecoms proposals put Europe's citizens centre stage (…) new consumer rights, a new dose of competition, an effective system of independent telecoms regulators, new investment into competitive infrastructures and more space for new wireless services are needed to put Europe's digital economy on track”. The main features of the new package are:
- New consumer rights, e.g. right to switch telecoms operators within one day
- More consumer choice through competition by introducing functional separation for dominant telecom operators
- More security in using communication networks
- Better radio spectrum management
- The creation of a European Telecoms Authority to oversee the implementation of the package across the EU
With regard to security, the proposals aim to strengthen the security of networks, services and user privacy by addressing a range of issues such as:
- Ensuring that consumers are informed if their personal data have been compromised as a result of a breach of network security;
- Giving operators and NRAs more responsibility with respect to the security and integrity of all electronic communications networks and services;
- Strengthening implementation and enforcement powers for competent authorities, in particular in the fight against 'spam';
- Clarifying the application of the EU rules to data collection and identification devices using public electronic communications networks.
In addition, it is proposed that the European Network and Information Security Agency is incorporated into the new European Telecoms Authority in order to facilitate achieving these objectives.
The proposals are now sent for review to the European Parliament and the EU Member States. It is expected that the new EU Telecoms rule will become law by the end of 2009.
For further information, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=3701