Such competition as we know to exist is limited by service and by location.
Users continue to wait for effective choice in local access.
Only when that has been achieved will it be possible to have unhindered development of new and innovative forms of e-commerce. We note the proposed timescale of having the regulatory framework by the end of 2000. We hope to see the regulations in place both at European Union level and in member states. We would also like to see considerable evidence of operators being able to offer services using such facilities. Delays of even a few months would be very damaging.