The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the European Union (EU) met on 12 and 13 June 2008 in Luxembourg.
With respect to telecommunications, the Council debated the review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications, having taken note of the three reports of the Slovenian presidency on the progress of preparatory work.
Regarding the report on the directive for improved regulation, the debate focused on the more consistent application of the regulatory framework in the internal market and on the management of the EU radio spectrum. As far as the report on the proposed directive on the rights of citizens is concerned, despite general agreement with the proposals of the European Commission (EC), many issues persist, especially with regard to universal service. With respect to the report on the directive on the creation of the European Electronic Communications Market Authority (EECMA), the debate revealed that the majority of Member States were against it, while they were in favour of strengthening existing structures in order to provide a more efficient response to the current difficulties presented by the electronic communication markets.
The European Parliament should adopt the first readings of these legislation proposals in September 2008.
Regarding the use of the spectrum freed up by the switchover of analogue broadcasting to digital, the Council called on Member States to cooperate in the work on coordinating the use of UHF band spectrum with basis in the indications of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), particularly those resulting from the World Radiocommunications Conference 2007. In addition the EC was invited to begin the studies and consultations necessary for the definition of a coherent basis for the coordinated usage of spectrum on a non exclusive, non mandatory basis, notably including the technical aspects, the cost analysis and the socio-economic impact of different options and the regulatory conditions for accessing spectrum. The EC was also asked to provide a report on progress in December 2008.
The Council also adopted conclusions on the review of the i2010 initiative, calling on Member States to adopt IPv6 and set ambitious targets for broadband penetration and calling on the EC to initiate in the autumn of 2009, in consultation with the Member States, a review of this action plan for the information society.
Finally ministers agreed to extend, by a period of three years, the mandate of European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).
Further information:
- Conclusions of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (EU) - 12 and 13 June 2008 (provisional version) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/trans/101093.pdf
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- Conclusions of EU Council of Ministers for Communications https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=541583
