A PYMNTS Company

EU: Commission exerting power over struggling telecoms sector

By  |  March 26, 2013

The European Commission has announced a set of new guidelines aimed at reducing costs to build high-speed broadband networks across the continent in a move that reports say showcase the Commission’s efforts to exert more power over the telecommunications market. The move comes just a month after major budget cuts have crippled efforts to expand broadband into more rural areas of the continent. Funding was reduced from $11.8 billion to just $1.3 billion. As the Commission sees telecom operators falling deeper into debt and a slow pace of investment, the authority is reportedly looking to lift up the sector with the new regulations. The draft rules were issued on Tuesday. According to reports, the rules would require any new houses built or renovated homes to be “broadband” ready, among other proposals. Water, electricity and gas firms will also be required to share their underground infrastructure with telecommunications companies in an effort to reduce the costs of digging new networks.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

     

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Full Content: Daily Press

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.