WRITTEN QUESTION E-0911/01 by Piia-Noora Kauppi (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Cooperation in the construction of the third generation network.
Date: 2001-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European cooperation, industrial investment, inter-company cooperation, radio telecommunications, telecommunications industry, telephone

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/121

regard to cost and market trends. Furthermore, the assets on which the entitlement to payment is based
have been valued under a suspect system in which the results exceed the investment outlay. In the light of
these and other matters (increase in the total amount by approximately ESP 100 billion, failure to spell out
the payment method, etc.), the Commission ought to examine the new payment system to ascertain
whether it might serve in any way to impede competition.

Does the Commission consider that the changes to the Spanish electricity legislation make it impossible to
open the case concerning State aids in the form of costs of transition to competition? Why have the
proceedings not yet been instituted?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 2001)

The Commission has not yet decided whether initiating proceedings under Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty
(formerly Article 93) is justified in this case. It is currently studying the impact of the changes made by
Royal Decree-Law No 2/2001 of 2 February 2001. It is also considering the consequences of the Court of
Justice(cid:146)s judgment of 13 March 2001 in Case C-379/98 PreussenElektra AG v. Schlesswag AG (1).

As the Honourable Member is aware, the problem of stranded costs in the electricity sector affects several
Member States and poses complex and unusual problems as regards state aid. It is for this reason that the
Commission feels it would be wise to wait for the above judgment before initiating proceedings in this
case.

(1) Not yet published in the European Court Reports.

(2001/C 340 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0911/01

by Piia-Noora Kauppi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Cooperation in the construction of the third generation network

A heated debate is now going on about the mistakes which were made in the procedure for allocating the
frequencies required for the third generation of wireless communication. However, the frequencies have
now largely been allocated, and it is time to debate how the EU can remain involved in the development of
the mobile Internet, and how we can meet the global challenges.

It is in the interest of the European consumer that it should be possible to construct the third generation
wireless networks without placing an undue strain on the cluster of industries which make up the
European telecommunications sector.

Mr Kaj-Erik Relander, managing director of the Finnish telecommunications operator Sonera, has spoken
publicly about the cost savings which could be brought about in the EU Member States if cooperation in
network construction and maintenance were to be permitted. However, Mr Relander says that cooperation
requires the approval of the licensing authorities or regulators.

How does the Commission intend to bring its influence to bear so that the investments which the third
generation requires can be made without an undue strain being placed on the European telecommuni-
cations cluster and thus on the EU(cid:146)s competitiveness?

Can the Commission put any pressure on the national authorities to take a positive attitude towards
telecommunications operators(cid:146) efforts to construct networks jointly with other licence holders?

C 340 E/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2001)

On 20 March 2001, the Commission adopted a communication from the Commission to the Council, the
the Regionsentitled (cid:145)The
Parliament,
Introduction of Third Generation Mobile Communications in the European Union: State of Play and the
Way Forward.(cid:146) (1)

the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of

This Communication gives a brief analysis on the current state of deployment of third generation (3G)
mobile communications network and services, and proposes a certain number of actions including
facilitating the deployment of 3G networks under the current legal framework is examined. As part of this
process,
it is proposed to address inter alia the conditions to be met in order to (cid:145)permit network
infrastructure sharing, which the Commission considers in principle positively due to its potential
the competition rules and the provisions of other relevant
economic gains, on the condition that
Community law are respected.(cid:146)

The Commission has already taken the initiative to contact national regulatory authorities with a view to
discussing the matter further. Furthermore, exchanges with industry aimed at clarifying the technical scope
of network infrastructure sharing are being undertaken,
in order to fully understand the regulatory
implications. The Commission aims at establishing a consensus on the conditions under which network
infrastructure sharing can be conceived, taking into account the existing legislation. Such a consensus
would allow national regulatory authorities to take the necessary steps falling under their responsibility,
while ensuring a co-ordinated Community approach overall.

(1) COM(2001) 141 final.

(2001/C 340 E/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0912/01

by Paul Lannoye (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: The Leader programme in St Hubert (Belgium)

(28 March 2001)

The Community has accepted the project submitted by the St Hubert (Belgium) Local Action Group,
relating to the Val de Poi, for funding under the Leader programme.

This project is intended to contribute to the harmonious development of the valley and comprises general
promotion measures, signposting of walks, making of a video, enhancement of the local heritage, creation
of a job agency, and installation of showcases for local produce. It began in December 1999, has been
operational since January 2000 and ends in June 2001. The EU(cid:146)s financial participation amounts to
BEF 18 million.

On the same site there are plans to build a massive sports complex costing BEF 662 million, an (cid:145)Olympic
valley(cid:146) for the training of high-level athletes in shooting, running, cycling and even equestrian events.

This project has been criticised by a number of politicians and associations because of the damage it risks
causing to the environment, thus detracting from the valley(cid:146)s attractiveness to tourists. It even seems that
subsidies from Leader have been used for studies on this project which infringes the very spirit of the
tourist project for which the Leader funds were intended.

Can the Commission:

(cid:129) confirm that a sports project is not eligible under the Leader programme,

(cid:129) say whether it is acceptable for projects subsidised under Leader to have a leverage effect on sports
projects which damage the environment and detract from the value of the Val de Poix for tourism,

(cid:129) say whether it might not be advisable to investigate the use of European funds for this project and

reclaim sums unduly paid?