Telecommunications operators are urging European Union governments to allow the European Commission to intervene in decisions taken by national regulators in new rules currently under discussion. EU countries are discussing legislation that will set the framework for a much lighter regulatory touch in telecoms over the next 5 to 7 years. The proposals give national regulators a lot more flexibility but with a stronger role for the Commission to intervene if it believes regulators are not following law correctly. As EU telecoms markets have been opened to competition, many operators have moved out of their home market to compete in other countries. But the companies are warning that they face a series of obstacles as new entrants in different EU countries.
Companies complain about government interference in the decisions of some regulators.
They also highlight the difficulties of obtaining clear costs for connecting to a rival operator's network. Under EU rules, operators should allow rivals to use their networks at a charge based on their costs but these are often not available. EU governments meet weekly to discuss the issue with a view to finding some agreement before the next formal ministers' meeting in April. The European parliament will vote on the proposals next week. In line with its obligation as a member of the Council of Europe to harmonize legislation with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Georgian parliament is currently considering a draft law on Freedom of Speech.