European parliament clears telecom reforms

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European parliament clears telecom reforms Wednesday 24 September 2008 | 02:28 PM CET



The European Parliament has approved the reform of the EU telecommunications regulatory framework. The legislative body made a number of amendments to the original package proposed by the European Commission. While the creation of a new EU telecoms regulator was approved, the parliament rejected a proposal to combine the new agency with the existing network security body Enisa. It approved plans to finance the telecoms regulator from the EU budget, rather than from member state contributions, and decided that half the staff at the new agency should be seconded from national telecom regulators. The parliament also modified proposals on the so-called Article 7 process, for EU clearance of national legislation and regulations. Member states will be prevented from implementing local regulations if the measures are questioned by both the new EU regulator and European Commission.

Other measures in the package include laying the groundwork for the enforcement of functional separation on national network operators. National regulators pursuing such a a split between network operations and commercial activities at incumbent players will now have a more solid legal framework. The parliament also underlined the EU stance on next-generation networks, rejecting 'regulatory holidays' for incumbent operators while confirming the need for investment guarantees for those operating open networks.

Additional measures highlighted by the parliament in the legislation include increased transparency and information for consumers. Contracts must give "full, clear and up-to-date details" of access to emergency services, restrictions on content or equipment use, client and after-sales services, payment methods and charges for number portability or for terminating a contract. The MEPs would also like to see a limit on contract terms of 24 months, with customers allowed to end the contract after 12 months. Furthermore, operators will have to provide number porting within one day or face sanctions.

The legislation also provides for better access to services for users with disabilities and a more efficient 112 European emergency number system. Security measures include extending data protection rules to private networks, such as Facebook or MySpace, and requiring service providers to notify the regulator and customers if any customer data is lost or stolen. The parliament also wants national regulators and service providers to work together more on informing consumers about rules on using illegal copyrighted material and ways to protect their personal security online.

In response to the parliament's decision, EU Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding welcomed most of the proposals. However, she said she still wants stronger measures to ensure harmonisation of spectrum policy and management across the EU. The next step before the reforms can take effect will be approval by the EU Council of ministers, which will discuss the measures for the first time on 27 November. The commission targets implementation of the full package of reforms within the current parliament's term, which ends in 2009.