The European Commission wants input on whether to update the...
The European Commission wants input on whether to update the list of wholesale and retail telecom markets now subject to regulation by national authorities, it said in a consultation (http://xrl.us/bnuh3) launched Tuesday. Those markets include retail access to the public…
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telephone network and wholesale broadband access, it said. The review will consider major market and technological developments such as Internet-based applications and service, convergence between different types of networks and services, and the development of very fast Internet networks and services, it said. The results could lead to revisions in the current list, which was last updated in 2007, it said. Comments are due Jan. 8 to cnect-relevant-markets@ec.europa.eu. The European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association said the consultation could result in less regulation and a better investment environment for high-speed broadband. Since 2007, strong competitors on different levels of the Internet value chain have emerged, and competitive platforms such as cable and mobile networks are increasingly providing broadband services, said ETNO Director Daniel Pataki. That offers the chance to “take a bold step towards the deregulation of the sector,” he said. ETNO urged the EC to lift rules on the remaining retail market for access to public phone networks at fixed locations and on wholesale broadband markets. Meanwhile, Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes warned participants at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam that Europe is “at a crossroads for broadband” and that where it ends up depends on tough political and investment decisions. New services such as cloud computing and e-government need better broadband, she said. She backed finding more spectrum for wireless broadband and more funding for fixed broadband, and urged governments to support the proposed Connecting Europe Facility, which aims to spur spending on fast broadband.