Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the telecommunications single market

Substantial progress towards a European single market for telecoms is essential for Europe’s strategic interests, and economic progress; for the telecoms sector itself; and for citizens who are frustrated that they do not have full and fair access to telecoms services such as internet and mobile services.

The importance of reliable and fast access to the internet will increase with the prevalence of cloud computing. This requires the availability of high quality networks, which can only be provided by a healthy telecoms sector, making this a strategic interest for Europe.

Similarly Europe’s strategic interest is served by having its own capacity to deliver secure cloud computing services to citizens and by retaining significant telecoms equipment production capacity. Both depend on a dynamic telecommunication sector willing to invest in 4G mobile and high-speed fixed access networks.

The overwhelming majority of citizens, business, government and entrepreneurs are increasingly dependent on telecoms connectivity. Today in Europe, however, they are subject to something of a lottery when it comes to access to these services, despite 26 years of progress in reforming Europe’s national telecoms markets and creating the foundation for a telecoms single market.

The internet economy itself occupies an increasing share of GDP, while effective connectivity and internet innovations are now essential for productivity growth in all economic sectors — from healthcare, to energy, to public services. Fixing the telecoms sector is therefore no longer about this one sector (which makes up just 9% of Europe’s digital economy), but about supporting the sustainable development of all sectors.

A further significant step forward in the development of the telecoms single market would provide a much-needed boost to the economy, by helping promote new sources of economic growth (such as the app economy, which has generated 794,000 new jobs – nearly half as software developers – since 2008), drive innovation, create new and sustainable jobs, and restore Europe’s competitiveness.

It is with this in mind that the European Council of March 2013 asked the Commission to present concrete measures to establish the single market in information and telecommunications technology as early as possible. Today's proposals address that commitment by the Commission.

See also:
- Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down measures concerning the European single market for electronic communications and to achieve a Connected Continent, and amending Directives 2002/20/EC, 2002/21/EC and 2002/22/EC and Regulations (EC) No 1211/2009 and (EU) No 531/2012

ESO: Background information: Commission proposes major step forward for telecoms single market http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-proposes-major-step-forward-for-telecoms-single-market/

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