WRITTEN QUESTION E-0877/02 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Allocation of UMTS licences in Sweden.
Date: 2002-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: State aid, Sweden, control of State aid, mobile phone, trade licence, transmission network

C 277 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

The EU has repeatedly called upon both parties to break the cycle of violence. On 10 April 2002, in a
joint statement with the UN Secretary-General,
the Presidency and the High
Representative i.a. called upon Israel to refrain from the excessive use of force and undertake all possible
efforts to ensure the protection of civilians.

the US and Russia,

(2002/C 277 E/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0877/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Allocation of UMTS licences in Sweden

(2 April 2002)

The Swedish media report that the Commission launched an inquiry in September 2000 into whether the
allocation of licences to third generation mobile networks (UMTS, also known as 3G) in Sweden was
contrary to Union rules on state aid. Several telecommunications companies in France and the Netherlands
are alleged to have complained to the Commission that the companies awarded the prized licences in
Sweden did not pay the market price.

Sweden was one of the Member States that opted for a ‘beauty contest’ approach to select the four
operators which each received a UMTS licence free of charge. Some other Member States opted to hold
auctions, selling licences to the highest bidder.

What was the outcome of the Commission’s inquiry into the Swedish allocation of UMTS licences and
which model did the Commission actually prefer for allocating those licences?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The Commission has not launche any inquiry on possible State aid issues raised by the grant of licenses to
third generation mobile operators in Sweden, nor has it received any complaint alleging granting of State
aid in connection with the awarding of licenses at below market price.

As regards the preferred procedure for the granting of licences, the Commission has specified on various
occasions that, provided Member States comply with the applicable provisions of Community Law, it is for
them to determine the process by which they grant third generation licences. (see i.a. replies to written
questions P-1839/00 by Mr. Van Velzen (1), E-1640/00 by Mr. Agag Longo (2), E-1227/00 by
Mr. Valdivielso de Cué (3) and E-3119/00 by Mrs. Langenhagen (4)).

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.
(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001.
(3) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 16.
(4) OJ C 151 E, 22.5.2001.

(2002/C 277 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0884/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Relief road through Arbón (Asturias, Spain)

(2 April 2002)

The Government of the Principality of Asturias is planning to build a relief road for the AS-25 road. This
project, were it to go ahead, would have a serious environmental impact, in that it would split the village
of Arbón, in the district of Villayón, in two, pose a threat to local agriculture and stockbreeding, and
exacerbate the problem of depopulation already affecting the area.