>> EC Presses For Unified 3G Regulation
Keith Nuthall
Total Telecom
20 March 2001
The European Commission is pressing for a unified approach for the development of 3G networks and services in EU countries, and has committed itself to opening talks with member states to argue its case, which is expected to include measures to defer payment of license fees.
In a discussion paper, The Introduction of Third Generation Mobile Communications in the European Union: State of Play and the Way Forward published Tuesday, the Commission said that it wants to "explore a number of issues in view of facilitating the roll out of 3G networks" with telecom operators and manufacturers, as well as governments.
According to a Commission statement: "The fragmentation of license conditions which has characterized the 3G license attributions as a result of each Member State's responsibility under the present regulatory regime to determine the mechanism for issuing licenses and to define license conditions has demonstrated the need for more co-ordination at European level."
The Commission stressed that a successful roll out of 3G services will depend on relevant proposed EU regulations being "adopted and implemented rapidly." It also said that 3G research should be prioritized, an important consideration given that Brussels is now framing its new four year framework research program.
Erkki Liikanen, information society Commissioner said: "As with any transition, there is some uncertainty, but the Commission recalls the great opportunities of this new generation of mobile digital services. We have to remember that 3G is built on very strong foundations: in the foreseeable future it is the only viable, widely-supported common platform for all wireless applications." <<
- Eric - |
