The European Commission this week postponed a discussion on how to ensure that all citizens get access to phones after liberalisation in 1998…

Date: 29/02/1996

...amid protests that its proposed guidelines on universal service are “too soft” on private phone companies. The guidelines are now expected to be debated in two weeks' time. In the meantime, consumer groups and state telecoms operators hope to persuade the Commission to insist on an obligation to provide all customers, regardless of where they live, with phones at the same price.