EU considering universal broadband move
September 29, 2008 Posted by Kevin in : Bristol , trackbackEvery 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.”
Comments»
Build it and they will come, eh? Forcing one group of telecomms customers to pay extra to subsidise cabling to another group of customers seems a questionable approach.
Consider that many parts of Africa are likely to leap-frog copper cabling and go direct to wireless and cellular internet services, just as they have with voice services. What benefit is there in a law to compel the adoption of outdated technology?
For me James, the opportunity is less about enforcing the rollout of outdated technologies and more about ensuring wide scale ‘Next Generation Access’.
BT’s recent announcement suggests that the billion and a half pound investment they plan to make in NGA (super fast broadband) will fibre-up only 40% of the UK. So what about the rest?
The Government’s newly published Ciao review agrees that in the medium to long term, NGA will increasingly underpin health services and education and support new businesses. With this in mind, I am all for the EU and Regional / Local Authorities developing strategies to ensure that super fast broadband reaches all parts of the community, and not just the most advantaged. What do you think?
Best Wishes
Stephen
I'd say the best way forward is to ensure that broadband consumers have as much money in their pockets as possible, and that broadband providers are kept free of regulatory overheads and market distortions. No supranational strategies required.