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UNI Europa ICTS has participated in a public consultation on universal service requirements for broadband launched by the European Commission. In the contribution, UNI Europa highlights the importance of broadband as a universal service that guarantees access for everybody at affordable prices.



Incentives for public and private investment are necessary to avoid the social and geographical exclusion of citizens with lower incomes or living in rural or remote areas. Regarding the resources for broadband deployment in the EU, UNI Europa addresses the need to set up a fair financing mechanism to which all those using the networks should contribute.





Regarding regulation at EU level, UNI Europa supports a coordinated EU approach to broadband as universal service that would have to take the different situations in Member States into account and provide for a certain flexibility on national level. Likewise, the development of ICT policies in Europe should be linked to a policy aiming at the improvement of incomes, the facilitation of access and the improvement of training in ICT.



The extension of universal service to broadband is essential for the future of the ICT sector in Europe and beyond – it would boost innovation and entail a major creation of employment across Europe. UNI Europa clearly passed the message to the European Commission that job creation and social and territorial cohesion must be the priority as regards universal service requirements.



More information on the public consultation can be found on the commission website