Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-18-Speech-4-149"

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"In 1993 the European Union and the Member States undertook to liberalise the telecommunication services sector. There is still a long way to go and we must not forget that the jobs created must be lasting and of a high quality. This undertaking led to the adoption of a series of directives. Behind the regulations was a political objective of ensuring growth, employment and competitiveness and of giving everyone access to the information society while ensuring adequate legal protection. The Commission has played a supervisory role in this which has resulted in a series of reports since May 1997. The Commission communication before us today is part of this process and the assessment presented is balanced to say the least. Approximately two years after full liberalisation, the telecommunication services markets in the Member States are characterised by a rising growth rate, many new arrivals and falling charges. However, major problems remain. A ‘digital divide’ is apparent between both regions and citizens. The reason for this is clearly the cost of access to these new services. The exclusion of some citizens from the new information technology society cannot be tolerated. The preservation of universal service must therefore ensure the inclusive nature of this society. We must make certain that the regulations being prepared, which have been submitted to this Parliament, adopt this approach. Due to a desire to see the cost of access to the Internet lowered and for this to be accessible to all citizens, Parliament insists in its report on the need to open up competition in the local loop. This measure must be thoroughly discussed with the national authorities in order to respond to the relevant objections. A major effort must be made in terms of harmonisation and simplification of rules. I am thinking for example of the rules on consumer protection, those governing the operation and role of the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and the licensing systems. To conclude, I would say that the telecommunications liberalisation process is not an end in itself but a step towards ensuring the transition to the information society."@en1

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