Telecoms deal is vital for Europe

The Internet news portal www.europeanvoice.com published a letter by the Regional Secretary UNI europa Bernadette Ségoland the President of UNI europa telecom Adrian Askew. It says:
"Regularity clarity is needed if telecoms package is to achieve its potential to create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The telecoms package comes at a crucial time for the industry, for workers and for the EU.
The Union needs to pass a telecoms package that will help provide the investment needed for universal high-speed internet throughout Europe, potentially creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and laying the seeds for future economic prosperity.
Next Generation Access (NGA), or fast broadband, will be a core element of the infrastructure that the EU will need in order to compete internationally.
It's not just about surfing the web or downloading movies faster; NGA will greatly benefit business, allow member states to exploit their economic strengths, encourage investment and innovation and play a part in the creation of the infrastructure needed for success.
These services have great potential through the online delivery of public services and access to online commercial services.
Breaking down the barriers to next generation broadband roll-out will require regulatory clarity and stability. We support the European Parliament's call to carry out an assessment of the potential need for ex-ante regulation, particularly with regard to long-term operators' investments.
Functional separation, the process by which telecoms operators are obliged to separate networks and services, is another issue that needs addressing.
We accept that it may be used in exceptional circumstances. However, we do have concerns about the imposition of functional separation.
Finally, spectrum plays an important role in broadcasting, telecoms and for a number of other purposes, including air traffic control and the emergency services, and should be treated as helping society progress.
We are supportive of proposals from the Council to encourage action by national regulators to stop spectrum being “hoarded” and to ensure that sanctions are used when it is not developed in accordance with guidelines."