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EU Commission outlines new rules for broadband deployment



The European Commission has adopted a package of three of policy measures to facilitate the roll out and take up of fast and ultra-fast broadband in the EU:



· A Commission Recommendation on Regulated Access to Next Generation Access Networks (NGA) that establishes a regulatory framework for national regulators regarding access to new high-speed fibre networks;

· A Commission proposal for a Decision to establish a 5 year policy programme for radio spectrum that should ensure the availability of sufficient spectrum for wireless broadband; and

· A Commission Communication on Broadband that outlines provides guidance for Member States on how to stimulate and finance private and public investment, and that calls upon EU countries to develop broadband plans for high and ultra-high networks.



These policy measures aim at providing more regulatory certainty to telecom operators and at addressing the need for more public and private investment in high and ultra-high sped networks while safeguarding competition. The adoption of these measures has been awaited for a long time as the Commission had already carried out a public consultation in 2009 on NGA to which UNI Europa had contributed.



UNI Europa welcomes the new policy measures in general, as we have always highlighted the importance of fibre networks for the future of the European telecom industry both in terms of its competitiveness and the creation of employment. It was high time for the EU Commission to come forward with measures to provide more regulatory and legal certainty to encourage investment in high-speed networks. UNI Europa had many times underlined the need for universal broadband access for all EU citizens, covering in particular the still underserved remote and rural areas, in order to avoid social and geographic exclusion. However, it remains to be seen in how far these recommendations will be concretely implemented by the national regulators and the EU Member States in the future.



For more information on the EU Commission’s approach and documents, please consult the Commission’s website:



http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=6070