Telecommunications Council - Main results
Viviane Reding - Luc Chatel
© Le Conseil de l'Union européenne
- On: 27.11.2008
- In: Bruxelles
On the agenda were the rexamination of the European regulatory framework for electronic communications, the regulation on international roaming, universal service and the internet of the future.
The first item on the agenda was the review of the European regulatory framework for electronic communications on the basis of proposals to accompany the rapid development of this sector and deal with the new challenges it is facing. At the end of difficult talks, the ministers of the 27 finally reached a political agreement on this ‘telecommunications package’ at first reading. This agreement now opens the way for the European Parliament and the Council to examine the texts at second reading, which Luc Chatel urged them to do as soon as possible.
An agreement in principle (‘general guideline’) was then obtained on a draft text prolonging the regulation on international roaming communications until 2012, leading to very significant tariff cuts of 50-60%. The proposal extends the regulation to text messages, by limiting their tariff to 11 euro cents per message, and to data exchanges for which provisions were introduced. This package of measures should allow users to control their bills during trips in other Member States.
Lunch was an opportunity for the ministers to discuss the national processes for determining the allocation of the frequencies freed up by the transition from analogue television to digital television, known as the digital dividend. The discussion also addressed the benefits of a coordinated approach to this dividend.
The ministers also debated the pertinence of universal access to high-speed internet connections. All recognised that this infrastructure is on the way to becoming an essential – even vital – asset, as much for the economy as for society. The ministers considered that priority should be given to market forces and that government intervention should not dissuade market operators from taking action themselves. All were agreed that the right balance should be achieved between flexibility and subsidiarity, on the one hand, and preserving the internal market, on the other.
Lastly, the Council adopted conclusions on the networks and the internet of the future, identifying the challenges to be overcome and the actions to take at national and at European level, which would allow the deployment of these new networks and active participation in designing the internet of the future. The internet has become a strategic infrastructure which has played a major economic and social role over the last ten years and the new generation networks (very high speed and mobile) will offer the high speed required by the new uses and services.
Telecommunications package: unanimous agreement of the 27 on the text (Report)
- Updated: 30.12.2008
