WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Award of multimedia mobile telephony (UMTS) licences by the Member States.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: mobile phone, telecommunications, telecommunications industry, telephone, trade licence

C 136 E/10

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

The Commission believes that, where specific languages are to be targetted, as wide a range of languages as
possible should be covered.

(1) OJ C 56 E, 29.2.2000.

(2001/C 136 E/010)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2095/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Award of multimedia mobile telephony (UMTS) licences by the Member States

In view of the differences in proceeds from the award of multimedia mobile telephony licences in different
countries, e.g. only ESP 87 000 million (€ 520 million) was obtained in Spain, while the United Kingdom
in ESP 6,3 billion (€ 37 863 million) and France expects to take in
auction procedure brought
ESP 3,28 billion (€ 19 232 million) using a concession price, does the Commission intend to make
provision for an EU procedure to coordinate rules on the award of licences for UMTS-type services, taking
due account of the far-reaching budgetary implications of the different systems, which in this particular
case were extremely prejudicial to Spain(cid:146)s public finances and potential public investments?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2000)

The Commission is following closely developments in the Member States concerning the licensing of third
generation mobile networks (i.e. UMTS-type services).

Under existing Community legislation, the licensing process must follow the principles of objectivity, non-
discrimination, proportionality and transparency, and should ensure optimal use of spectrum as scarce
resource, and foster the development of innovative services and competition.

Within these boundaries there is a large margin of discretion for Member States to determine what
procedures to follow in attributing licences. Auctions are one approach and so-called (cid:145)beauty contests(cid:146) are
another. Both are in principle compatible with Community law, provided they are well designed and
conducted and ensure objectivity and transparency.

In view of the number of Member States that have already awarded licences for third generation mobile
networks, it would not be feasible to introduce a co-ordinated procedure for the award of such licences.
However, the Commission will continue to monitor the process closely.

The proposed new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, published
by the Commission on 12 July 2000 (1), does address the issue of coordination on spectrum issues. The
new framework emphasises the need for effective management of radio spectrum by Member States.
Spectrum is becoming a scarce resource, and the need for its effective management has been stressed
repeatedly by interested parties in the various public consultations that have been carried out by the
Commission over the last 18 months.

The provisions of the proposed spectrum decision (2) will allow the Commission to identify best practices
and to examine how these can be applied throughout the Community.

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/11

The proposed authorisations directive (3) allows for harmonisation of such aspects as charges,
fees,
procedures or conditions concerning general authorisation or the granting of rights of use, where
divergences between national situations create barriers to the internal market.

The European Council has called for the new regulatory framework to be adopted by the Parliament and
Council in 2001.

(1) COM(2000) 393 final.
(2) COM(2000) 407 final.
(3) COM(2000) 386 final.

(2001/C 136 E/011)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2171/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: View taken by the EU as regards the action framework for universal basic education

After the World Education Forum held last April in Dakar (Senegal), the UN and the World Bank reached
an agreement on an action framework intended to provide funding for poor countries which submitted a
plan for basic education by 2002.

The purpose of the agreement is to try to provide universal basic education by 2015 by involving over
180 countries, together with donors, the UN and a strong, active coalition of NGOs, who will henceforth
be essential partners in the campaign to provide education for all.

What view does the EU take of the attempt to provide universal basic education by 2015? How does the
EU intend to contribute to the combined worldwide effort agreed at the Dakar Forum?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Provision of basic education for all is an indispensable component of the poverty reduction strategies. The
Community places the fight against poverty and the integration of developing countries at the centre of its
support to sustainable development.

The Commission is ready to support national education action plans aimed at achieving the post-Dakar
targets. As decided in the framework for action adopted in Dakar, the Commission looks forward to
monitoring with partner countries and all donors the progress towards the year 2015 and intermediary
It will work with the United Nations organisations, with non-governmental organisations
objectives.
(NGOs), and with partner countries to advocate and promote the objectives laid down by the Forum, and
in particular girls(cid:146) and women(cid:146)s education.

in particular support to social
The Commission made determined efforts to give development issues,
sectors including education, top priority at the G7-G8 Summit held in Okinawa on 19 July 2000, in line
with the commitment that the Dakar framework for action objectives are taken into consideration at each
international conference and summit.

Within this context, the Community is decided to contribute, with its Member States, to any initiative
taken by the World Bank, to provide funding for developing countries monitoring or implementing
national plans for the support of basic education. One of the priorities of the poverty reduction strategy
papers (PRSPs) launched by the World Bank, in cooperation with other donors, including the Community
and its Member States, is support to basic social services.