On 6 May, the European Parliament (EP) reinstated a first-reading amendment to the ''telecom package'' by 407 votes in favour with 57 votes against and 171 abstentions, submitting the whole package to conciliation, the final stage of the legislative process, which will occur only during the Parliament's next legislative term, after the European elections. The amendment in question says that ''no restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end users, without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities (...) save when public security is threatened''.
The Council may, however, facilitate the reform of legislation on electronic communications if in the second reading at its meeting on 12 June, its takes a favourable position on the text adopted today by the European Parliament. Otherwise, the Conciliation Committee will be convened.
However, the plenary of the EP did vote in favour of other measures, such as the creation of the new Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), new consumer rights and protection of privacy, promotion of investment in new infrastructure and reform of radio spectrum use.
According to the adopted text, the new body of European regulators - BEREC - will consist of a board of the heads of the 27 national regulators. As an independent expert advisory body, BEREC will issue opinions and recommendations to help the Commission, and upon request the European Parliament and the Council, to apply the electronic communications regulatory framework effectively and consistently. A small secretariat will provide support services to BEREC (the Office), funded by subsidies from the Community budget and voluntary financial contributions from Member States or their national regulatory authorities.
The Parliament and Council also agreed that national regulatory authorities will consult the Commission and the new body of European regulators before adopting regulatory measures.
Further information:
- No agreement on reform of telecom legislation http://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdfs/news/expert/infopress/20090505IPR55085/20090505IPR55085_en.pdf
- European Parliament Approves EU Telecoms Reform but Adds 1 Amendment: Commission Reaction http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/219&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en