EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/257

(2004/C 84 E/0305)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: Community funding for telecommunications

From a restructuring plan presented by the management of Alcatel Italia S.p.A. it emerges that two Italian plants will be closed down, although they are both at the forefront of telecom technology. However, there are a number of Community programmes to support technological innovation, such as the ©-Europe programme, which provides for the possibility of subsidising investments for broad-band facilities in depressed areas by means of the ESF. Furthermore, in the context of measures to promote the development of broad band, investments of EUR 1,680 million over five years are envisaged, to be financed partly by European funds and partly by means of project-financing.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1. to what extent Alcatel Italia may benefit from such funding;

2. to what extent it may benefit from funding provided under the Galileo project and the Sixth Framework Programme for Research;

3. what other future financial instruments are envisaged for telecoms?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2004)

As a provider of satellite technology, Alcatel can bid for providing the hardware necessary to build the Galileo system. At present, Alcatel Italia is not involved in Galileo project funding. As regards the Sixth Framework Programme for Research it can bid for funding under its various subprogrammes. So far, the involvement of Alcatel in the Sixth Framework Programme is limited to a bid related to Strategic objectives 2.3.5 Research Networking Test-beds where Alcatel Italia is a partner of a consortium with 13 other members (the requested grant is EUR 1 240 000).

As regards the co-financing of broadband infrastructure using the Structural Funds, the Commission has drawn up new guidelines (1) which aim to implement the objectives of Action Plan e-Europe 2005 and thus to contribute to the development of the information society in the most disadvantaged regions, which would otherwise be neglected under free market conditions (rural and remote areas).

The guidelines fix general criteria and modalities of implementation for receiving support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (need for a regional strategic framework, geographical targeting, technological neutrality and open access). This document was written for the regions in order to aid the evaluation and selection of investment projects in electronic communications, including investments in second generation mobile telephony in cases where the investment is not financially viable.

It should be noted that the selection and management of projects fall under the exclusive competence of the national and regional authorities whilst observing Community law and guidelines (competition, public procurement, etc.).

Article 2 (b) of the Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional Development Fund (2) allows for the financing of the ‘establishment and development of trans-European networks in the area of telecommunication’. Moreover, the Commission's guidelines of 28 July 2003 do specify that Structural Funds should support regions in strengthening the demand side of the information society, especially the capacity of firms and institutions to effectively use Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The emphasis is on infrastructure and not on operational costs.

It has to be pointed out that it is up to the Managing Authority of a given Member State to approve the ICT projects to be funded under Structural Fund Programmes.

(1) SEC(2003)895.

(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.