Every three years the European Commission conducts a review of it’s Universal Service Obligations (USO). The USO outlines the telecommunications standards and services that all EU citizens can expect. The USO also states that if a majority of EU citizens are able to make use of a particular telecoms service, then the policy is to ensure that that service should be available to all citizens across Europe.
Figures from the EC suggest that from 2003-2007 broadband use in member nations tripled to 36% of households and had an annual growth rate of 20%. The commission has also highlighted considerable gaps in provision, notably between Denmark, Luxembourg and Belgium where there is 100% coverage, and Romania where it is closer to 40%.
The review will consider whether the current USO needs to be re-written to force telecoms firms to extend broadband to those areas competition will leave unserved.
Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner announced the review saying, “High-speed internet is the passport to the Information Society and an essential condition for economic growth. This is why it is this Commission’s policy to make broadband internet for all Europeans happen by 2010.”
