BRUSSELS -- The Commission today said it approved the Portuguese telecoms regulator's proposal to deregulate some parts of the wholesale broadband market, covering around 61% of all Portuguese broadband lines. The regulator ANACOM's (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações) proposal is a reasonable move towards better targeted regulation, concentrating on regions where structural competition problems persist. The Commission also called for effective regulation in regions where competition problems persist. With the move towards faster and higher capacity next generation fibre networks underway in Portugal and across the EU, the Commission highlighted the importance of alternative operators having access to new fibre technologies.

"ANACOM's proposal to deregulate parts of the Portuguese broadband market proves that effective regulation leads to effective competition, which in turn allows more targeted regulation," said Viviane Reding, EU Telecoms Commissioner. "However, when and where regulation is still needed regulators must make sure it is technology-neutral and gives competitors access to fibre-based products. Keeping European consumers spoilt for internet choice is the key to Europe's broadband strength, so we must maintain our competitive markets as networks allowing a new era of internet services emerge."

European Commission