“The Commission has rightly pointed out that increased investment in European telecoms infrastructure is needed to drive progress across all sectors of the economy, but overall, the package needs to do much more to support this goal,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General of the GSMA. “A deeper and more comprehensive approach is required, and the mobile sector is ready to contribute to efforts to develop an ambitious shared agenda in support of the European digital economy.”.
The statement accompanying the package correctly identifies areas where further progress is needed, including consolidation, deregulation, and equal regulatory treatment for companies providing functionally equivalent services. These are key issues that must be addressed as soon as possible. The regulations themselves include some positive aspects, particularly regarding spectrum, but several areas of concern remain that threaten to undermine regulatory certainty, clarity, and consistency for both consumers and businesses. Above all, the GSMA believes the proposals have suffered as a result of the pressure to expedite procedures to keep pace with the legislative timetable.
Last week, the GSMA published a report, “Mobile Economy Europe 2013” (1), which confirms that Europe has lost ground in mobile communications and now lags considerably behind other advanced economies, such as the United States and parts of Asia. The report also highlights the immense potential gains for the European economy as mobile technology increasingly transforms various sectors, including healthcare, education, transportation, and energy. To maximize the potential of these advances, the industry needs progressive telecommunications policy and a regulatory framework that encourages investment, creates new jobs, and fosters innovation.
“Today’s reform will set the stage for investment and innovation in Europe’s digital economy for the next ten years,” Bouverot continued. “It is crucial that this is done right, and this process should include a thorough review of Europe’s increasingly outdated telecommunications regulatory framework. The right policies are those that promote investment, facilitate innovation, and help build consumer confidence. We will continue to support efforts to achieve these goals in order to help propel Europe toward a connected future that meets the expectations of its businesses and consumers.”.
