WRITTEN QUESTION E-2871/98

by Antoni Gutiérrez Díaz (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Expanding cable networks

Access for the greatest possible number of citizens to the new multimedia and interactive means of communication using cable - for their personal use in the home, as well as at the workplace, in organisations or in educational and administrative establishments - is now a basic requirement in guaranteeing the success of policies to bring about economic recovery, the balanced development of urban areas, access to training and new forms of participatory democracy.

1. What measures does the Commission envisage taking to ensure that cable networks guaranteeing a universal service are expanded rapidly to cover the largest possible number of European cities?

2. Does the Commission intend to introduce any specific programme or line of action to expand cable services as part of its urban and regional redistribution policies?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

Full liberalisation of the Community telecommunications market (infrastructure and services) has been established from the beginning of 1998 and the major priority of the Commission is to ensure effective implementation of competition and choice for users. Cable television operators are now free to offer telecommunications services and many are investing in their networks to provide telephone and Internet services.

At the same time, the Directive 98/10/EC of 26 February 1998 on the application of open network position to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment(1) provides that a defined minimum set of services of specified quality must be available to all users independent of their geographical location, and, in light of specific national conditions, at an affordable price. This set of services includes the provision of voice telephony service to a fixed location which will also allow a fax and modem (for data communications) to operate, as well as the provision of operator assistance, emergency and directory enquiry services (including the provision of subscriber directories), public pay phones and, where appropriate, special facilities for customers with disabilities or special needs. However, Community legislation does not specify the technical means by which such universal service is provided. In practice, incumbent telephone operators are generally responsible for universal service provision at present, but the rapidly changing market situation is showing that new operators (cable and otherwise) are very willing to provide Internet and other new services on favourable terms.

The Commission has also established a number of programmes as part of its urban and regional redistribution policies. For instance, the Rubis (réseau ubiquitaire à intégration de services) project was introduced in January 1998(2) as an exchange of experience between a number of local authorities in three Member States (Germany, France, Finland) for services of general interest (healthcare, education, administration, transport, security cards).

TEN-Telecom provides selective financial support to promote the development of new telecommunications services and applications, meeting the needs of public and private users. It promotes city and regional information networks interconnecting households, businesses, local administrations, social organisations and local content providers. The services can be offered over various kinds of infrastructures.

The Commission continues to monitor the development of new operators and networks (including cable networks and urban and local authority initiatives). As part of the 1999 telecommunications regulatory review, the Commission will examine developments and issues concerning universal service including public and private needs.

(1) OJ L 101, 1.4.1998.

(2) See http://www.ehto.be/ht projects/html.dynamic/106.html.