Telecoms groups pressed to further boost rivals

On the 8 July 2008 the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament voted on the European Commission's proposals to reform the EU Telecom rules. Even though the final view of the European Parliament will only be known once the Plenary has voted on the Commission proposal – which is expected to take place on 3 September 2008 – the votes in ITRE and IMCO were considered by the Commission to be important steps towards shaping the final legislative texts to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

The European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy voted to support European Commission proposals to allow national telecoms authorities in the European Union to divide dominant operators' networks and services businesses into separate units.

EP: Committee on Industry, Research and Energy: Report: Draft report roposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, Directive 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services, and Directive on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pr/720/720897/720897en.pdf

BBC News, 8.7.08: MEPs back contested telecoms plan http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7495085.stm

European Commission: MEMO/08/491: Commission welcomes European Parliament vote to strengthen the EU's Single Market for Telecoms but important questions remain open http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/491&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Parliament: Press Release, 8.7.08: Telecoms package: EU-wide spectrum management for full benefits of wireless services http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/058-33580-189-07-28-909-20080707IPR33578-07-07-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm

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