Today the European Commission presented a plan to rule the telecom market adapting it to technological advances and new realities since the last reform in 2009. Socialists and Democrats welcome its main objectives, including broadband access at affordable prices for all EU citizens.
S&D vice-president Kathleen Van Brempt said:
“The Commission is promising to finally deliver internet for all; from the biggest cities to the smallest villages, and at a speed of 100 Mb per second by 2025.
"However, former Commissioner Kroes had already promised all EU citizens broadband coverage by 2013 and, by 2020, fast broadband coverage at 30 Megabits per second with at least half of European households subscribing to broadband access at 100 Megabits per second.
"In reality, we are far from that. Therefore, although we of course applaud the aims, promises alone will not get us there. We expect a clear framework, setting out responsibilities and stipulating who needs to do what and when.
"In order to reach the aim of 100Mb per second for all, high investments in infrastructure are urgently required; up to 155 billion euros to be exact.
“According to the Commission, a large amount of this money is to come from member states’ budgets, which will without doubt raise resistance in the Council. However, investments in the digital infrastructure could lead to up to 1.3 million jobs, and are crucial for our industry in order to step up to worldwide competition. We hope that member states put the benefits of their citizens and industries first this time and finally step away from the austerity dogma. What is clear though, is that those investments should not come at the expense of higher prices for consumers.
“We are looking forward to negotiating on these files and hope the Commission puts its money where its mouth is. We expect ambitious and concrete measures; not weak and shady proposals like the one on roaming charges last week.”
S&D spokesperson on industry Dan Nica said:
“We need the right, ambitious regulatory framework for electronic communications, because they have become of crucial importance to society and to the wider economy.
“Electronic communications and its networks have evolved and need to address and confront new challenges such as feasible and wider coverage, new players on the market and 5G. We welcome the 5G proposal, but if the EU really wants to be a leading force in 5G deployment, urgent action is needed in terms of spectrum harmonisation and planning and the Commission has to overcome the reluctance of member states.
“If Europe wants to be a force in telecoms we need clear competences for a European single regulator, with rules and tariffs for all. New applications like WhatsApp, Skype or Viber should follow rules to guarantee security in communications, just as older players do - both for the sake of competition and for consumer protection."
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