Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-06-12-Speech-2-329"
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"en.20010612.16.2-329"2
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". – Madam President, I would like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Harbour, the whole Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market for the excellent report and I also want to thank all the other committees for their constructive contribution to this work.
In conclusion, the fact that the Commission accepts 50 of the 62 amendments in full, in part or in principle, indicates a most agreeable parallelism of thinking between Parliament and the Commission, which is reflected in the discussions that are taking place in the Council. This convergence between the three institutions follows from a sense of a shared vision and commitment to which the European Parliament has an opportunity to make an important contribution in its vote tomorrow.
We all know the importance of the entire Telecom package for the future competitiveness of Europe. This report demonstrates a keen understanding of these fast-moving markets, their technologies and how and where they are developing. In addition to this demonstrated technical and commercial know-how, Mr Harbour has included a number of amendments on behalf of an often-overlooked group of users in our society, the disabled.
I am very pleased to see the amendments put forward in relation to the disabled, which the Commission warmly welcomes. The Commission shares the view that universal service is not just about getting geographical coverage right. It is also about ensuring coverage of all groups in our society, including people with disabilities and special needs. We are now working on a recommendation on web accessibility guidelines, which will help disabled people to use Internet services.
Due to limited time I will try to focus today on a few issues of special importance. First, on the scope of universal service: the Commission supports the Harbour report on the proposed scope of universal service. The key issues here, for example regular review of the scope of universal service and the financing of net costs using transparent and competitively neutral mechanisms, accord with the Commission's own approach to these key principles.
Amendments Nos 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15 are genuine improvements. However, the Commission cannot agree to add "effective" to "Internet access" as proposed in Amendment No 9, because of varying interpretations which could lead to market distortions. The Commission welcomes amendments for the chapter dealing with the regulation of SMP designated operators, but cannot support provision such as "at least annually imposed on NRAs" in Amendment No 24. The framework must remain flexible and NRAs must be in a position to react to market conditions as they develop.
The Commission finds persuasive the innovations suggested put forward in Amendment No 26 that persistent market failure to satisfy requirements of users and consumers may be addressed by retail remedies if wholesale remedies are ineffective. However, the Commission would link any intervention to the general objectives of the package rather than to well-justified complaints.
With respect to the chapter on users' interests and rights, the Commission welcomes the support for the provisions of the directive and endorses Amendment No 31 to require operators to include prevailing tariffs in contracts with subscribers. With respect to the implementation of a European telephone and numbering space, the Commission has already carried out a study. We found that a European regional code would allow companies conducting business throughout Europe to use a single telephone number. This would introduce competition between operators as well as create pan-European services and markets. Therefore the Commission cannot support the proposed Amendment No 31, which makes the implementation of ETNS subject to completion of a further study.
The proposals in Mr Harbour's report relating to "must carry" provisions reflect the importance and sensitivity of the area. His suggestion for remuneration of network operators is a welcome balance of the interests at stake. However, the Commission believes that other amendments to this article duplicate other provisions in the package and are therefore not necessary. Amendments Nos 45 and 46 are welcome in principle.
In conclusion, therefore, as far as amendments in the report are concerned, the Commission can accept in full Amendments Nos 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 to 20, 22, 27, 29, 36, 38, 39, 46, 49, 53, 57, 58 and 60. The Commission can accept in part or in principle Amendments Nos 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 to 14, 18, 21, 23 to 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 41, 42, 44 to 47, 50, 52 and 54. The Commission cannot accept Amendments Nos 1, 3, 34, 40, 43, 48, 51, 55, 56, 69, 61 and 62."@en1
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