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Proposal for a Regulation to complete Telecoms Single Market and to achieve a Connected Continent Roberto Viola Council Working Party Brussels, 19 September 2013 Connected Continent package: what's in it? • The Communication: Commission's vision for a Single Telecoms Market • The costing and non-discrimination Recommendation • Proposal for a Regulation to complete the Telecoms Single Market in the EU + Impact Assessment The Context • EU single market in electronic communications = annual 0.9% GDP/€110 billion (Ecorys/TU Delft/TNO 2012) • Spring European Council (15/3/2013): "the European Council notes the Commission's intention to report well before October on (…) concrete measures to establish the single market in Information and Communications Technology as early as possible" What is wrong with Europe? Major Operators 3 Major Operators Major operators Regulatory framework 1 Regulatory frameworks 3 40+ 28 Regulatory framework 1 Content of the proposal: 1. Single EU authorisation Simplified regulation and enhanced convergence of regulatory conditions 2. European inputs for high-speed broadband Wireless: spectrum coordination; facilitating small cells Fixed: standardised access products 3. Single consumer space Harmonised end-user rights and easier switching Open Internet: net neutrality Phasing out roaming Single EU authorisation Why needed? • to ensure legal consistency and overcome fragmentation, reduce administrative burdens How? • Single notification to the home Member State • Suspension/withdrawal by home NRA • No charges and universal service contributions in host Member States during startup phase • Equal regulatory treatment across Member States • Veto power for the Commission on remedies Wireless Broadband: spectrum Why needed? • to ensure coordinated and timely availability of new wireless technologies; boost interoperability and ensure economies of scale across Europe How? • Common principles for rights of use of harmonised spectrum for wireless BB • Synchronisation of spectrum availability, timing and duration • European coordination mechanism for authorisation procedures • Simplifying conditions for Wi-Fi and small cells Fixed Broadband: Virtual Access Products Why needed? • to enable pan-EU provision of services, e.g. content, e-health, video-conferencing, B2B How? • Defining common features for European virtual broadband access products • Included in range of remedies imposed on SMP operators by NRAs • Implementing measures by Commission • European assured service quality connectivity upon reasonable request Rights of Consumers Why needed? • To ensure high level of protection in a European single market, and helping to stimulate demand How? • Full harmonisation of rights of end-users (transparency, also on Internet speeds, contractual information, no "bill shocks", contract termination) • No unjustified distinctions between the price of domestic and "international" (intra-EU) calls • Gaining provider takes care of switching process which should be completed in a day Net Neutrality Why needed • To ensure open access to internet for end-users while providing the possibility to ensure quality of service for specialised services How? • Ban on the blocking or throttling of services and/or applications, except in very limited objectively justified circumstances • Specialised services allowed as long as this does not impair best efforts Internet • Implementing rules by the Commission, supervision by national regulators Roaming Why needed? • To remove artificial effects of fragmented markets and give consumers something they really value How? • Roam-like-at-home as default solution for all customers subject to reasonable use criterion • Industry to negotiate roaming agreements • Exemption from threat of decoupling as incentive Consistent with Roaming 3: if roaming surcharges persist until the 2016 review, more intrusive measures may be needed A Connected Continent will bring about Better productivity Growth & jobs • • • • 5% on GDP = €1500 per person 2 million jobs €110 billion GDP growth / year €300 billion saving on public services • • • • • Savings from pan-EU telecoms providers A secure cloud Top-quality videoconferencing World-class digital infrastructure + 5-6% productivity Real benefits for citizens • • • • More choice & more telecoms providers Phasing out unfair charges when communicating across borders A full open Internet Easier & more efficient public services A stronger telecoms sector • Consistent rules, regulators & remedies • Cross-border business boost • Stable, consistent investment climate Brighter prospects for SMEs & start-ups • Operators can't block or throttle • A home market that is fully connected • Wireless services & devices that work perfectly across the EU Adoption Timeline European Council: European Council: Entry into force: 24/25 October 2013 14/15 March 2013 Adoption of the package: 11 September 2013 1 July 2014 / 1 July 2016 Adoption by EP and Council: Spring 2014