EU consultation on future universal service in digital era

clohamon

Broadband: Wide broadband coverage is crucial to foster growth and jobs in Europe. But 23% of people in rural areas do not have access to fixed broadband networks. Should universal service principles help to reach the EU's goal of 'broadband for all', or would competition on the open telecoms market or other policy options be more effective?

Press release:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/218&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=nl


Questionnaire:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/doc/library/public_consult/universal_service2010/questionnaire_en_100302.pdf

Consultation closes 07/05/10




Irish USO up for renewal 30/06/10.
Lets see if Comreg wait for outcome of EU consult.

Sponge Bob

The EU also published an economic stratgy for the next 10 years yesterday. It replaces the Lisbon Strategy which was the economic strategy that permitted the government to roll out the NBS after it was published in 2007.

The new strategy MANDATES universal bb .....UNIVERSAL...by 2013

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/news/documents/pdf/20100303_1_en.pdf

This Digital Agenda for Europe is on Page 16 of the link

The aim is to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits from a Digital Single Market based on fast and ultra fast internet and interoperable applications, with broadband access for all by 2013, access for all to much higher internet speeds (30 Mbps or above) by 2020, and 50% or more of European households subscribing to internet connections above 100 Mbps.

and

At national level, Member States will need:
– To draw up operational high speed internet strategies, and target public funding, including structural funds, on areas not fully served by private investments;
– To establish a legal framework for co-ordinating public works to reduce costs of network rollout;
– To promote deployment and usage of modern accessible online services (e.g. e-government, online health, smart home, digital skills, security).

bealtine

The European Commission has proposed extending broadband access to the entire EU by 2013 and providing the whole region with access to speeds of at least 30Mbps by 2020. The targets form part of its 'Digital Agenda for Europe'. The EC would also like to see 50 percent or more of European households taking internet at over 100Mbps. In order to realise the goals, the EU will continue to work on encouraging investments in broadband infrastructure and developing an efficient spectrum policy, as well as devoting structural funds to broadband expansion. The EC also wants to create a single market for online content and services, including multi-territorial licences for copyrighted material, a European stake in global internet governance and further digitisation of Europe's cultural heritage. Additional measures may include a reform of research and innovation funds in order to increase support for the ICT sector in key strategic fields, support high-growth SMEs and stimulate ICT innovation across all business sectors. The EC also wants more work on promoting internet use and digital literacy among Europeans. The proposals are part of the much broader EU 2020 plan presented by the commission, which proposes a range of strategies to get the EU out of the economic crisis and back on a growth path. The EC asked the member states to ensdorse the plans at the spring European Council meeting.