Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-11-30-Speech-3-225"
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"en.20051130.20.3-225"2
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".
Mr President, let me first express my very warm thanks to the European Parliament and to Mrs Toia in particular for this excellent report. It is very encouraging to see that Parliament shares the Commission’s policy priorities and concerns as regards implementation of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. This support is important, especially when we have to make difficult or unpleasant decisions with regard to Member States. You know that the electronic communications sector is a major driver for a knowledge-based society and economy. Our regulatory framework, which has been in place since 2003, establishes conditions for competition, investment, growth and jobs, while guaranteeing basic consumer rights.
Our objective has been and will continue to be a single market with choice, quality and low prices for all European businesses and consumers. The rapporteur is right, we are taking responsibility for ensuring that Member States implement the framework correctly. The fact is that they do not always do this. We maintain a constant dialogue with the European Regulators Group and the national regulatory authorities, in the context of the monitoring of this market. When instances of non-conformity or incorrect implementation arise, we launch infringement proceedings against the Member States concerned. Although some objectives have not yet fully been achieved, I can assure you that progress has been made since last year and this will certainly be reflected in the 11th implementation report which we are currently preparing.
I would now like to answer the specific requests made by the European Parliament. The Commission shares your views about the importance of adequate frequency allocation and the need for sufficient flexibility in that respect. We also fully share the Parliament’s concerns on data retention, which is why the Commission has made a balanced first-pillar codecision proposal. In the same way, broadband access and ways to reduce the digital divide are key priorities and will remain so under the i-2010 action plan.
You will know also that roaming charges are an issue to which the Commission has paid great attention. In relation to the issue of transparency for consumers, we have set up a website with information on roaming prices in the Member States. I can inform you that since this website came online a lot of Europeans have used it and prices are falling.
I take note of the concerns expressed in the report on the role of the ERG. The ERG is an advisory body and a good forum for national regulators to exchange views and experiences.
I also take note of the request for the Commission to carry out regular studies on the transparency of invoicing, contract guarantees and trends in the market and prices. This information is already available and specific studies are unnecessary, but I can assure you that if problems are identified, they are included in the annual implementation reports.
I would like to assure Parliament that the Commission will remain vigilant to ensure that measures relating to national markets do not jeopardise the completion of the single market in electronic communications. We will continue to monitor Member States’ activities relating to the regulatory framework, and will submit an annual implementation report, which will be adopted by the Commission in February 2006.
A few words about the future. The report makes reference to the need to open an institutional debate. That debate has already started, and will go on until the first half of 2006. In the summer, the Commission will publish a communication with the conclusions of the debate and will make concrete proposals by the end of 2006. The European Parliament will of course be fully involved in this process."@en1
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