Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-06-18-Speech-1-077"
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"en.20070618.14.1-077"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, I should like to start by thanking Mr Hökmark for his excellent cooperation. We have worked out various compromises together.
The development mentioned by Mr Hökmark in his report covers all the relevant technical areas in the field of broadband. He covers all aspects excellently; the most important being developments in rural areas, of course – where we can see a great divide. Basically, we can speak of the ‘broadband paradox’: urban areas, where broadband is not actually necessary, have a high proportion of broadband users, whereas rural areas do not. We must therefore find ways of increasing the proportion there.
We have also discussed the ‘digital dividend’. In the European frequency landscape, frequencies are becoming free that can be used for mobile broadband solutions.
However, we must also discuss the major task of who should develop the relevant infrastructure and how to deal with the private operators investing in this and expecting a return on their investment. As a Liberal I would willingly leave everything to the market, of course – and I know that Mr Hökmark, too, has a liberal soul – but we must also recognise that this is not happening in rail transport or education, and so even the Liberals have to admit that other ways must be found of obtaining investment in this.
A bonus system has been mentioned. I am glad that the report leaves this option open and allows this kind of bonus as a means of bridging the broadband gap, particularly in rural areas.
I felt like calling out to Commissioner Kroes, who is now responsible for competition, that not everything can be looked at from a entirely puristic, theoretical angle. Sometimes, particularly in a world developing rapidly at global level, it is necessary to abandon introspection and adapt our competition rules to global conditions. This is a small field where we can do so. For this reason, I am particularly pleased that support policy is being changed, that resources from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Agricultural Fund can be used for the development of infrastructures. What is even more important as regards competition policy, however, is technology neutrality: in this regard the Commissioner has taken the right course – on which I also congratulate Commissioner Reding.
There is one further aspect I should like to address. The development of broadband infrastructure in Europe can only be achieved by having a ‘man on the moon’ objective. In my opinion, this objective could consist in enabling the maximum number of people possible to vote by e-mail in the 2009 European elections. This would exert pressure on Member States to achieve participation of 25% or perhaps even more of their population in this wonderful instrument, which will take Europe forward. E-mail voting for the 2009 European elections – I believe that would be a significant new challenge!
Once more, thank you for the constructive cooperation I have enjoyed."@en1
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