The European Union is considering a Digital Network Act next year. The Act should shake up and harmonize current European telecom policy. Among other things, it should put an end to the debate over whether big tech companies should co-pay for European operators’ networks.
According to Bloomberg, during a consultation in Spain, responsible European Commissioner Thierry Breton presented European member states with a proposal, the EU Digital Network Act, which would shake up and harmonize European telecom policy.
The proposal, to be presented in 2024, is intended to reform Europe’s telecom sector.
Fair share compensation European telcos
An important part of the new legislation should be compensating European telecom operators for the use of their networks by (U.S.) big tech companies. Think of all the popular streaming services.
European telecom operators have long wanted the EU to regulate that they are compensated by big tech companies for data transport over their networks.
Currently, no compensation takes place and that hinders further investment in these networks, according to the telecom operators who have been regularly bringing this wish for years.
Big tech clearly disagrees. There is also a difference of opinion among European member states on this issue.
Smart solution
By including this ‘fair share’ principle in a new broader European telecom law, this problem will be solved more easily, is the wish of the European commissioner. Thierry Breton has long been positive about fair share, but that does not apply to all member states. As a result, European policy in this area remains absent.
Other parts
Other components of the possible European telecom reform are likely to include consolidation of the telecom sector, raising investment capital to upgrade Europe’s telecom networks, reducing laws and regulations for operators and EU leadership on 6G.
Bloomberg says that the possible EU Digital Network Act will still generate some debate in the near future. Especially since member states disagree among themselves. Also, Breton’s term expires in 2024, so a successor will have further to deal with it.
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