Europe’s telecoms network operators are facing decreasing revenues and reduced market values compared with operators in the U.S. and Asia, and with players across the ecosystem. This is impairing our ability to invest in the communications infrastructure needed to put Europe back on the path to growth and jobs, and to restore its global competitiveness.
We share the European Commission’s view that a competitive telecommunications single market can help meet this challenge and underpin growth, employment and citizen welfare across the European Union.
We believe the following elements are critical to its success:
1. Modernising Regulation
An essential element to the telecoms single market is the elimination of outdated and unnecessary layers of regulation, more harmonisation at the European level, and the consistent application of rules irrespective of the technology being used, who is providing the service, or where individuals are located.
2. Consolidation for Investment
The evolution of Europe’s antitrust framework to support market driven restructuring and consolidation will be necessary for redefining the investment climate and driving Europe’s competitiveness.
3. Spectrum for Growth
Broad and bold reform to the management of Europe’s spectrum assets is required. It should be focused on the timely release of new capacity that is harmonised across the single market, and allocated with the objective of driving long-term growth and investment.
4. A Level Playing Field for All
Even-handed regulation across the value chain is needed to open up opportunities for all players to offer competing new internet services, together with innovative, interoperable and secure telecommunications services. Operators must have the commercial freedom to develop new business models, innovate at the network and service level, and offer customised services in order to restore the investment climate and drive innovation and competition in the global marketplace.
5. Trust for Take Up and Use
Privacy and security are fundamental to building trust and confidence in the uptake and use of new digital services by EU citizens. We must address the current patchwork of regulations, which compromises the effective and consistent protection of consumers across the digital value chain.