BRUSSELS – The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have reached an agreement to update the repealed 2014 European Directive on reducing broadband costs. The new Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) ensures that the EU switches gears and Accelerate the deployment of infrastructure supporting 5G networks. At the same time, it reduces “unnecessarily high” costs.
This law was proposed by the European Commission in February 2023 to achieve the following: Connectivity goals Defined in the EU’s Digital Compass for the past decade. In other words, High-speed broadband connectivity (at least 5G) to all citizens in 27 member states and to close the widening disparity in access and digital literacy between urban and rural areas.
on the one hand, Reduce infrastructure deployment costs, mainly due to licensing procedures before network construction or upgrade. The process “remains complex, sometimes time-consuming and differs from member state to member state.” The second is to accelerate network deployment, ensure legal certainty and transparency for all economic actors involved, and provide electronic communications public network operators with a more efficient planning and deployment process. is.
“In Europe, the deployment of fiber and 5G could be much easier with less administration,” he acknowledged. Petra de Sutter, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, who led negotiations with the European Parliament on behalf of the Council of the EU. To the European Commissioner for the Single Market: Thierry Bretonthe agreement is “another step towards a truly digital single market” and “defines and harmonizes rules to accelerate network deployment”. Reduce bureaucracy and bring textiles to everyone, wherever. “
The interim agreement maintains the general tenor of the commission’s proposal, although the two co-legislators amended several provisions.Required Adjustment mechanism Exceptions to agreements and transition periods to facilitate the authorization process between public bodies and telecommunications carriers small municipality Specific provisions have been introduced to facilitate this. connectivity countryside and remote areas.There were also some exceptions Critical National Infrastructure.
During negotiations, parliamentary negotiators secured the principle of “tacit consent,” under which new infrastructure would be granted permission if the authorities did not respond within four months.
End of roaming charges for communications within the EU
Finally, considering the current retail price, Regulated intra-EU communications will expire on May 14, 2024, but the interim agreement provides for its continuation. consumer protection; By expanding especially vulnerable users, price ceiling, 0.19 euros per minute for calls, 0.06 euros per SMS. Until 2029 at the latest, “retail prices should not be differentiated solely on the basis of the fact that calls are made or terminated in different Member States.” Therefore, intra-EU tariffs will be eliminated.
“This regulation, combined with the abolition of roaming charges, will ensure that calls to and from anywhere in Europe are fully consistent with national rates,” said Alin Mituša, a member of the Liberal Party of Romania who is the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the proposal. That will happen.”this is The end of borders for communication”
English version by Withub translation service
