EU: Commission’s single telco market plans approved by MEPs

Proposed plans to establish a single telecommunications market throughout the EU were backed by the European Parliament’s Industry and Research Committee this week, say reports.

The Committee voted to approve the package drafted by the European Commission as the regulator looks to boost competition throughout the EU and streamline regulatory oversight of the market.

Among the proposals is to abolish roaming fees within the EU and establish consumer protection rules that blanket the Union.

While MEPs backed the package, the plans have faced heavy backlash from some of the largest telcos in the region. A group of 14 wireless operations, including Hutchison Whampoa and Liberty Global, issued a letter to officials last week warning of anticompetitive effects of the single market package, telling the commission it is “extremely concerned that the text only focuses on the end of ‘retail’ roaming prices without ensuring revision of the corresponding regulated ‘wholesale’ roaming caps.”

The package will now go to a vote by all MEPs on April 3, say reports.

Full Content: Telecoms

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