- Published: 11.04.2006.
EC - Not Necessary to Extend Universal Service to Mobile Communication and to High Speed Mobile Services
According to a report by the Commission published on 11 April, universal service extension to mobile communications and high-speed internet is not necessary for now, as consumers already enjoy, at affordable prices, generalized access to mobile communications in their countries of origin and, to date, only a minority have high-speed internet connections.
According to the Commission, the cost of extending universal service obligations to these services would exceed benefits to users.
Current provisions on universal service cover: 1) connection to the public phone network; 2) access to telephone services for the public with narrow band connection allowing vocal services and data communication, as well as functional access to the Internet. The concept of universal service aims to ensure access to basic but vital communication services for disadvantaged users, requiring adjustment to the internet era, stresses Commissioner Viviane Reding, responsible for the information society and media.
The report analyses the scope of European universal service rules and summarizes the responses given to public consultation opened after the Commission's communication on this subject. The Commission has received 76 contributions from various players (including several who commented that it would be problematical to make specific technology compulsory in a fast-changing technological landscape and that extension of the scope of universal service and its financing could dissuade and hinder competition and put a brake on innovation).
The report therefore reflects a consensus on the part of parties on the fact that it is preferable for now to leave it up to the market to propose mobile services and access to high-speed internet connection to users to fill the gap when it comes to broad band.
With regard to the concerns expressed by a number of consumer organizations specialized in electronic communications, organizations that recommended extending the scope of universal service to mobile services and/or to broad band, the Commission considers it has given them an appropriate answer with its “Broadband for all” initiative.