News

UNI europa deeply regrets that the European Parliament did not take the chance to fully adopt the compromise package on the new telecom regulation. Following two years of difficult negotiations, today’s vote was the last chance to adopt the so-called “telecom package” before a new European Parliament will be elected in June.



Recognising the importance of investment in high-speed internet as a major factor for economic growth and employment, the adoption of the telecom package will be crucial for the telecom sector in times of economic recession.



During today’s vote on the new telecom regulation, the European Parliament rejected the Council compromise because of a controversy about internet users’ rights.



Although the EP plenary has approved the major part of the compromise amendments, negotiations will have to continue in order to find full agreement with Council and finalise the legislation.



UNI europa calls on MEPs and the Council not to threaten the core of the compromise already reached at this stage during future negotiations. It is important that the conciliation procedure that will start most likely after the European elections does not open the telecom package as such, in particular with regard to workers’ rights that are recognised in the current text.



The social embedding of functional separation and the consideration of trade unions as industry stakeholders as part of the compromise have been a success for UNI europa and its members that have actively been lobbying for workers’ rights since the start of the negotiations.



Moreover, the new legislation would give telecom operators more regulatory predictability and thus encourage investment in infrastructure and NGN.





For more information on the vote in the European Parliament:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/plenary/home.do?language=EN