The European telecom industry is likely to see updated broadband infrastructure rules approved in early February, as 5G rollout across Europe remains low.
advertisementThe European Commission’s overhaul of broadband rules, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), is due to be concluded in EU negotiations on February 5, a member of the European Parliament responsible for the issue told Euronews.
The GIA was proposed in February 2023 and is part of the Commission’s efforts to accelerate the deployment of high-capacity networks, including 5G and fiber. This set of rules also includes a way to harmonize authorization procedures for deploying or upgrading networks across blocks. Currently, telecommunications regulation is relatively fragmented across the EU due to national competencies.
Progress was made at the first political trilateral meeting held yesterday (January 25), Romanian liberal lawmaker Alan Mituša said.
“We exchanged views on topics such as intra-EU consultations and participation in applications. I am confident that we will be able to reach an agreement on the next trilogy,” Mitsusha added.
Despite the huge and growing demand for high-speed internet, the penetration rate of these networks is still relatively low in Europe, especially in rural areas. Telecommunications lobby group ETNO is skeptical that the proposed legislation will actually accelerate 5G deployment.
ETNO Deputy Director General Alessandro Groppelli told Euronews: “This law will directly lead to reduced investment in 5G and fiber optics, as cost-cutting measures are watered down and unfair intra-EU calling restrictions are introduced. I predict that.”
Figures published by the commission last year showed that 56% of European households have access to fiber networks, which is essential for gigabit connectivity. The EU executive has set a goal that by 2030, every household in the EU will have access to a gigabit connection and all populated areas will be covered by her 5G.
land issue
Among the outstanding issues in next week’s trilogue is an article on how to regulate the price of land under fair conditions on which towers and antennas for 5G networks will be built. This has led to resistance from land aggregators who are currently negotiating prices to lease farmers’ land for the construction of communications equipment. The bill would likely transfer this authority to tower companies (companies that build, manage, and maintain communications infrastructure).
Other topics are still up for debate, such as the cost of intra-EU calls and the effective date of the rules. EU lawmakers want it to come into force within six months of the vote, but member states want a two-year implementation period.
digital network law
In addition to GIA, the European telecommunications industry is also eagerly awaiting the commission’s white paper on the Digital Networks Act (DNA). The plan aims to address possible issues regarding the financing of communications infrastructure.
The initiative, led by EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton, has sparked intense debate, with the telecoms lobby calling for more financial support for large content providers who use telecoms infrastructure to generate large amounts of traffic. Big tech companies, on the other hand, said they were already paying those costs and the fees charged would lead to higher costs for customers.
A strategy document is expected on February 21st, and actual legislation could be enacted after the new European Commission is formed after June elections.
