Ahead of the upcoming meeting of EU Telecommunications Ministers, a coalition of consumer groups, digital rights NGOs, and industry stakeholders has expressed serious concerns about the future EU regulatory framework for telecoms. The group argues that the European Commission's latest proposals risk undermining both the open internet and a competitive EU telecoms market.
The signatories of a joint statement released today have urged Member States to ensure that the EU adopts a pro-competition approach that benefits consumers. They have also called for opposition to any proposals for unjustified regulatory intervention. The European Commission's recent white paper on Europe’s digital infrastructure needs has been criticized for suggesting various scenarios that could negatively impact European consumers and the wider economy.
As the Telecommunications Council convenes on 21 May, signatories including the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) are highlighting potential dangers in some of the Commission’s priorities. The contentious paper discusses introducing “dispute resolution mechanisms” for the IP interconnection market, which could lead to network usage fees. This measure was previously advocated by telecom lobbyists as part of their initial demands for ‘fair share’ payments.
Furthermore, the Commission's ideas include extending obligations from telecom operators to cloud providers under the European Electronic Communications Code, despite these entities providing completely different services. The white paper also suggests removing obligations for former telecom monopolists, potentially reducing competition and increasing prices for European consumers and businesses.
Daniel Friedlaender, CCIA Europe’s Senior Vice President & Head of Office, commented: “These dangerous ideas were outright rejected by a vast majority of stakeholders – including EU telecom regulators’ body BEREC and Member States – only very recently. Regrettably, the Commission keeps trying to prop up big telecom operators to the detriment of Europe’s competitiveness. Today’s statement shows universal opposition to these ideas. We all agree this would harm competition, the open internet, and – above all – European consumers.”
Maria Teresa Stecher, CCIA Europe’s Policy Manager, added: “Any regulatory intervention in the EU telecoms market should be strictly evidence based. We don’t need recycled ideas that were rejected before. Going forward, any new policy scenario that is tabled requires a comprehensive impact assessment and inclusive public consultation.”
The coalition includes the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), digital rights NGOs such as European Digital Rights (EDRi), epicenter.works, D3, Digitalcourage, Homo Digitalis, Drzavljan D, Chaos Computer Club, ApTI, Aspiration Tech, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Industry groups Allied for Startups, Association des Services Internet Communautaires (ASIC), CCIA Europe, Digital Poland Association, and the European Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO Europe) are also part of this unique coalition.
