| European regulatory authority shifting responsibilities? – 31/10/07 |
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The European regulatory body suggested in the draft of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (“Telecom Package”) may deal with cyber terrorism. This is envisaged due to the fact that Estonian websites were attacked this year in May.
The regulatory body, which’s suggested name has been “European Electronic Communications Market Authority” (EECMA) or lately “European Telecom Market Authority” (ETMA) would from the beginning take care of market regulations within electronic communication. However the prerogatives do not seem to be fixed. It has now been suggested an additional role as a watchdog for cyber attacks. This would most likely take place on the expense of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) that would cease to exist. A report commissioned by Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, this year sates that ENISA has not been fulfilling its role. Mrs. Reding has earlier received criticism for the creation of a European regulatory authority. National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) do not want to diminish their roles on their national arenas and European Commission representatives have expressed their doubts due to the bureaucracy this body would add. Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, the United Kingdom’s telecom regulator has expressed his concerns that “the Commission could secure the right to veto certain liberalisation measures put forward by national watchdogs” (Financial Times, 30/10/07). Mrs. Reding has ensured several times that NRAs will remain strong and independent of this body. Mrs. Reding has stated that the pan-European regulatory body would work together and cooperate with the current European Regulatory Group (ERG), and that it would not replace ERG. However, a spokesperson for Viviane Reding, has questioned the work of ERG. The person has pointed out that it is difficult to set any ambitious common objectives for a single market in a group where 27 representatives should agree unanimously. Instead the spokesperson favours qualified majority voting it told Le Monde (31/10/07). The draft Telecom Package will most likely be presented on November 13th, 2007. A majority of EU Member States (MSs) and the European Parliament (EP) must approve it.
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