[eccr] Commission urges Europe to move to Broadband

Title: Commission urges Europe to move to Broadband

Commission urges Europe to move to Broadband

The European Union must accelerate the changeover to broadband services and third generation mobile communications, according to a new European Commission Communication on the state of the electronic communications sector. The report identifies broadband and "3G" as the main drivers of the sector. The economic and social benefits they bring make it more urgent than ever that the availability and use of these technologies be improved. Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner Enterprise and Information Society, said, "Today, the Commission has invited all Member States to commit themselves to a comprehensive broadband strategy by the end of 2003. In addition, by 2005 all public administrations should be connected to broadband. And by 2005, our ultimate aim should be that half of all internet connections in Europe are broadband connections. To achieve that, Member States need to implement the new regulatory framework for electronic communications by this summe r to ensure a stable and predictable environment for investment. New and attractive content and applications, such as e-Government services, should stimulate investment in new networks. Through an emphasis on research we should ensure the long-term innovative capability of the sector."

This Communication responds to the request addressed to the Commission by the Telecommunications Council of 5 December 2002 to report on the state of the sector and, if necessary, to put forward appropriate proposals in due time before the Spring European Council of 21st March 2003. The electronic communications sector is of fundamental importance to the full development of the knowledge-based economy. Higher productivity leading to higher growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion is one of the objectives of the Lisbon strategy designed to transform the economic, social and environmental performance of the European Union by the end of the decade.

In this Communication the Commission highlights that secure, multi-platform high-speed connections (broadband) will be the basis of the knowledge-based society. At stake are the possibilities to provide important new options in terms of the quality of the services delivered, as well as economic and social benefits. To achieve widespread availability of a European world-class infrastructure for electronic communications, this Communication reminds Member States of the need to complete the implementation of the actions already planned, complementing them where necessary, and presents the actions currently underway at the EU level.

The Commission, together with Member States and other stakeholders, has started a process to define common objectives.

Multi-platform access (i.e. the possibility to connect to the Internet via a selection of means including PC, digital TV, and 3G) will facilitate access to broadband services for all sections of the population, irrespective of their geographical location. Erkki Liikanen said, "The experience of 3G licensing points to the need for increased co-ordination of policy across Europe to avoid the risk that fragmentation across countries delays the introduction of new wireless mobile services. For this reason, the Commission and Member States should work out coherent approaches to deployment deadlines, provide clarification on the issue of network infrastructure sharing, and continue discussions on spectrum usage and trading."

The electronic communications sector is going through an adjustment period which follows the rapid expansion of 1998-2000. Because of the current postponement in investment, large scale layoffs, and its importance to the wider economy, it is essential that governments provide an environment that ensures the sustainable development of the sector. Electronic communications are a strength for Europe and action must be taken to consolidate them. This requires:
*    Legal certainty to create the conditions for long-term investment through the full and timely implementation of the new regulatory framework for electronic communications.
*    Timely implementation of the eEurope 2005 action plan towards the development and the use of a secure world-class infrastructure able to deliver modern public services.

*    Support and strengthening of current investment in R&D at national and EU level is necessary to ensure Europe's long-term competitiveness.

In the run-up to the Spring European Council, the Commission calls on Member States to fully commit to this ambitious target as a key contribution to the achievement of the knowledge-based economy envisaged by the Lisbon strategy.

The Communication is available at:

http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/news_library/index_en.htm