Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-10-25-Speech-3-333"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2000-10-25"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Unbundled access to local loop2
dcterms:Language	"fi"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20001025.15.3-333"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2000-10-25-Speech-3-3342
lpv:speaker	lp:Marjo Matikainen-kallström2
lpv:spokenAs	member_of_the_bureau; EPP-ED (2000-04-03--2002-03-07)3 substitute; Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 member; Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 vice-chair; Delegation to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee (EEA) (1999-07-22--2002-01-14)3 substitute; Temporary committee on the Echelon interception system (2000-07-06--2001-09-05)3 unknown; Kansallinen Kokoomus (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, firstly I would like to express my thanks to the rapporteur. He has done some excellent work as part of this difficult process, and, taking into account the problems created by this ‘fast-track’ procedure both for the timetables for the legislative work and parliamentary debate, we should be very satisfied now with the compromise that has been reached. What is important for consumers is that the regulation should enter into force immediately from the start of the year. The matter is very urgent, as free price competition in local networks is one of the cornerstones of Europe and, more generally the development of the European information society. I am particularly satisfied that Parliament, the Council and the Commission were able to work in such close cooperation in this matter and that they treated this complex issue, discussing it constructively, in an atmosphere of understanding that was perhaps unprecedented. As Parliament hopefully tomorrow will adopt the report, as I sincerely believe and hope it will, in the spirit of consensus achieved, the ball will then be in the Council’s court. Free competition in local calls will benefit users of the Internet in particular. The telecommunications monopolies have been charging exorbitant sums of money until now. The European consumer has, in the worst cases, had to pay ten times more to connect to the Internet than the Americans. Reduced charges will lower the threshold at which people can start to use the Internet in their everyday tasks. For example, the limitless possibilities of commerce will be within easier reach for Europeans. Lowering local call charges will benefit everyone, including those who are not excited about byte-inspired adventures and the Internet. National watchdog agencies have an enormous responsibility to see that the telephone companies that enjoy monopoly status really do open the end of the last copper wire to the new companies in the industry. It is to be anticipated that some monopolies will try every trick in the book to cling on to their competitive edge. This will have to be dealt with severely. The monopolies will have to be prepared to pay substantial sums in compensation if they delay opening up their networks. Only in this way may we ensure that there is free competition immediately at the start of next year. On behalf of my group, I hope that tomorrow’s vote has a positive outcome and then the ball really will be in the Council’s court, and we shall be able to apply the new regulations within the framework of new legislation at the beginning of the new year."@en1
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"e-"1

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