Telecom Package – Interim Council position

Based on the European Commission’s (EC) legislative proposals to amend the current regulatory framework, launched in November 2007, the Telecoms Council agreed to support, on one hand, a better application of the framework for electronic communications networks and services across Member States (MS), and on the other hand, a more flexible and efficient use  of the radio spectrum. Nevertheless, the measures adopted by the EC were identified by the ministers as susceptible to disturb the current balance of proportionality and subsidiarity, and also likely to add further administrative burden.

As for the establishment of the European Electronic Communications Market Authority (EECMA), the proposal was rejected. Instead, the Telecom Council supported the strengthening of the current European Regulators’ Group (ERG).

To access the Council’s Presidency progress report, please click here. To access the progress report on EECMA, please click here

Digital Dividend

The Council adopted conclusions on the EC’s Communication reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: a common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover. It invites Member States to:

• Work together to identify the relevant parts of the UHF band which could be made available for services using uni and bidirectional networks respectively;
  
• Facilitate cross border spectrum coordination and the use of the UHF band in accordance with the provisions adopted by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union). 

These tasks have to be carried out in close cooperation with the EC, which has the duty to support MS in the coordination of spectrum management in order to avoid harmful cross-border interferences. Besides, the EC has to define a coherent basis for the coordinated usage of spectrum on a non exclusive and non mandatory basis, taking into account technical aspects, a cost analysis and the socio-economic impact of the different options and regulatory conditions to access spectrum.

To access the Council conclusions, please click here

Mobile Satellite Services – end of the process

The proposal for a decision of the selection and authorisation of systems providing mobile satellite services (MSS) was adopted.

To access the information from the Presidency, please click here

European Network and Information Security Agency – end of the process

The mandate of ENISA, which was due to expire in March 2009, was extended by an EC proposal in December 2007; instead, it proposed to extend its mandate for two years. However, the ministers reached an agreement to extend the ENISA’s mandate for three more years, until 2012.

To access the Council general approach, please click here

Statement by Viviane Reding after the meeting of Council of EU Telecoms Ministers, Luxembourg, 12 June 2008:

• Mrs. Reding agreed to revise the proposal on a strong European telecommunications market authority;
  
• She stressed the need to go on with the spectrum management reform:

“Here, I believe sincerely that we need to make more progress on the reform of radio spectrum management. Radio spectrum is a very valuable resource, and a more market-oriented, efficient and consistent management will not only give an economic boost to Europe's wireless industry, but at the same time make substantial progress towards achieving a Europe with "broadband for all" – whether in big cities or in less populated villages, whether in urban or in rural areas, whether at home or while travelling in Europe. I urge all Ministers not to let Europe's citizens down on this point.”

“Let me make a very bold proposal: Let us agree to make a very efficient and consumer-friendly use of Europe's digital dividend, the additional radio spectrum that will become available as soon as we switch from analogue to digital TV in the next 3 years. Let us agree to allocate, by 2010, 50 per cent of this digital to new mobile and wireless services. This would allow us to turn the dream of "broadband for all Europeans" into a reality, while at the same time allowing enough space for commercial and public broadcasters to develop and offer new and more modern TV services.”

To access Mrs. Reding statement, please click here

Next steps:
- Next Telecommunication Council: November 27th, 2008

To see the Council’s calendar during the French presidency, please click here