natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
We clearly support the general thrust of the Commission Proposal for a Regulation on roaming on public networks within the community.
We clearly support the general thrust of the Commission Proposal for a Regulation on roaming on public networks within the community.
Nevertheless we see room for improvements as increased price transparency for the consumer is concerned in order to enable the consumer to make an informed choice and as creating a level playing field for mobile network operators is concerned in order to raise competition in the internal roaming market.
Nevertheless we see room for improvements as increased price transparency for the consumer is concerned in order to enable the consumer to make an informed choice and as creating a level playing field for mobile network operators is concerned in order to raise competition in the internal roaming market.
The European Parliament respects the Commission’s concerns to regulate prices of international mobile data transfer services on the basis of the current information about this market segment, in particular without a proper impact assessment.
The European Parliament respects the Commission’s concerns to regulate prices of international mobile data transfer services on the basis of the current information about this market segment, in particular without a proper impact assessment.
Nevertheless the European Parliament points out to the strong need of closely assessing and monitoring this market segment as there seems to be strong evidence for market failure.
Nevertheless the European Parliament points out to the strong need of closely assessing and monitoring this market segment as there seems to be strong evidence for market failure.
Very high prices
Very high prices
The prices level of mobile communication services offered to consumers when roaming have been varying from high to often excessive.
The prices level of mobile communication services offered to consumers when roaming have been varying from high to often excessive.
Although especially charges at retail level have been unjustifiable high , there is evidence that also at wholesale level charges levied by the host network operators, in particular from smaller operators, are way above costs incurred by the host network operators and thus impeding fair competition.
Although especially charges at retail level have been unjustifiable high , there is evidence that also at wholesale level charges levied by the host network operators, in particular from smaller operators, are way above costs incurred by the host network operators and thus impeding fair competition.
Lack of transparency
Lack of transparency
European citizens are in need of seamless quality communication.
European citizens are in need of seamless quality communication.
Given that eight out of ten EU-citizens have a mobile phone and that in some member states penetration rate exceeds 100% (Italy 123,2%, Portugal 117,1%, UK 116,3%)
Given that eight out of ten EU-citizens have a mobile phone and that in some member states penetration rate exceeds 100% (Italy 123,2%, Portugal 117,1%, UK 116,3%)
As of end Q4/2005
As of end Q4/2005
To this end, transparent pricing mechanisms are essential.
To this end, transparent pricing mechanisms are essential.
At business-to-business level, transparency has to ensure the functioning of the internal market.
At business-to-business level, transparency has to ensure the functioning of the internal market.
At business-to-customer level the main objective is to provide the consumer with complete and comparable information on current prices in order to enable the consumer to make a well informed choice.
At business-to-customer level the main objective is to provide the consumer with complete and comparable information on current prices in order to enable the consumer to make a well informed choice.
Disadvantages of a non-functioning internal telecommunication market
Disadvantages of a non-functioning internal telecommunication market
Non attainment of the Lisbon strategy goals
Non attainment of the Lisbon strategy goals
The main objective of the Lisbon agenda is to make Europe the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.
The main objective of the Lisbon agenda is to make Europe the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.
The European Council of March 2005 called upon the Commission, the Council and the Member States to relaunch the Lisbon Strategy by refocusing on growth and employment in Europe.
The European Council of March 2005 called upon the Commission, the Council and the Member States to relaunch the Lisbon Strategy by refocusing on growth and employment in Europe.
An equitably functioning labour market could foster growth and could give fresh impetus for a competitive European economy.
An equitably functioning labour market could foster growth and could give fresh impetus for a competitive European economy.
In order to ensure the global competitiveness of the European market, a dynamic internal market without internal barriers is needed .
In order to ensure the global competitiveness of the European market, a dynamic internal market without internal barriers is needed .
Unjustifiable high prices impeding customers from using their handsets constitute barriers to the internal service market.
Unjustifiable high prices impeding customers from using their handsets constitute barriers to the internal service market.
No creation of knowledge based internal market
No creation of knowledge based internal market
The market for mobile communications, being part of the wider market for information society services, comprises not only voice telephony, but also the provision of other newer mobile communication services .
The market for mobile communications, being part of the wider market for information society services, comprises not only voice telephony, but also the provision of other newer mobile communication services .
In particular VOIP, 3G networks, GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile internet and TV as well as new handsets supporting mobile data transfer at a larger scale are promising developments which should not be hindered by a lack of demand due to deterrent prices.
In particular VOIP, 3G networks, GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile internet and TV as well as new handsets supporting mobile data transfer at a larger scale are promising developments which should not be hindered by a lack of demand due to deterrent prices.
Self-regulation is not functioning
Self-regulation is not functioning
Self-regulation would mean that operators or associations would negotiate and agree amongst themselves guidelines at European level.
Self-regulation would mean that operators or associations would negotiate and agree amongst themselves guidelines at European level.
Operators would have to guarantee substantial price reductions at wholesale and retail level.
Operators would have to guarantee substantial price reductions at wholesale and retail level.
It seems that such proposals have not been put in place so far.
It seems that such proposals have not been put in place so far.
Non-functioning in figures
Non-functioning in figures
Surveys have shown that
Surveys have shown that
· almost eight out of ten Europeans have a mobile phone.
· almost eight out of ten Europeans have a mobile phone.
· mobile phone users rely very heavily on international roaming services, since the majority of users (9 out of 10) opt for that formula when travelling abroad, instead of buying a new SIM-card;
· mobile phone users rely very heavily on international roaming services, since the majority of users (9 out of 10) opt for that formula when travelling abroad, instead of buying a new SIM-card;
· a clear majority of users limit their mobile communications when travelling abroad
· a clear majority of users limit their mobile communications when travelling abroad
· excessive communication costs are by far (81% of replies) the main reason why Europeans use their phone less often while travelling abroad
· excessive communication costs are by far (81% of replies) the main reason why Europeans use their phone less often while travelling abroad
· there is a considerable lack of transparency with regard to prices, since 4 out of 10 Europeans do not have a clear idea of what their calls cost
· there is a considerable lack of transparency with regard to prices, since 4 out of 10 Europeans do not have a clear idea of what their calls cost
· a clear majority of Europeans (70% of replies) want the European Union to take action in order to regulate the price of calls and text messages so that roaming charges are not unreasonably higher than local prices
· a clear majority of Europeans (70% of replies) want the European Union to take action in order to regulate the price of calls and text messages so that roaming charges are not unreasonably higher than local prices
B Proposed Improvements
B Proposed Improvements
The creation of a well functioning European internal telecommunication market is the ultimate objective of this Regulation.
The creation of a well functioning European internal telecommunication market is the ultimate objective of this Regulation.
Geographical barriers impeding dynamic competition have to be overcome.
Geographical barriers impeding dynamic competition have to be overcome.
Transparency for the consumers as well as for the industry has to be increased and may partly contribute to achieving the overall objective.
Transparency for the consumers as well as for the industry has to be increased and may partly contribute to achieving the overall objective.
Wholesale Regulation
Wholesale Regulation
Price regulation at wholesale level is the key driver in order to obtain the objectives set out above.
Price regulation at wholesale level is the key driver in order to obtain the objectives set out above.
Price regulation should create a level playing field for big and small, old and new (market access), northern and southern (tourism) and eastern and western (level of income) operators in order to ensure competition.
Price regulation should create a level playing field for big and small, old and new (market access), northern and southern (tourism) and eastern and western (level of income) operators in order to ensure competition.
In order to ensure fair competition all operators shall be submitted to a must-carry obligation for roaming services at wholesale level.
In order to ensure fair competition all operators shall be submitted to a must-carry obligation for roaming services at wholesale level.
The basis for the wholesale regulation has to be transparent, not manipulation-prone, equally applicable in all Member States and should not constitute excessive administrative burden for regulatory authorities.
The basis for the wholesale regulation has to be transparent, not manipulation-prone, equally applicable in all Member States and should not constitute excessive administrative burden for regulatory authorities.
The Regulation at wholesale level should be based on mobile termination rates (MTRs) calculated as an average over all 27 member states.
The Regulation at wholesale level should be based on mobile termination rates (MTRs) calculated as an average over all 27 member states.
The absolute price cap at wholesale level is calculated by multiplying the average MTR by a single factor .
The absolute price cap at wholesale level is calculated by multiplying the average MTR by a single factor .
No mobile network operator may levy charges above this limit from any other operator.
No mobile network operator may levy charges above this limit from any other operator.
Price regulation at wholesale level should enter into force without delay.
Price regulation at wholesale level should enter into force without delay.
Sunset clause
Sunset clause
If industry were to establish a stock market which covers the whole European roaming market (incoming and outgoing calls), operators trading their entire volume of roaming minutes on this stock market would be no longer subject to regulation at wholesale level.
If industry were to establish a stock market which covers the whole European roaming market (incoming and outgoing calls), operators trading their entire volume of roaming minutes on this stock market would be no longer subject to regulation at wholesale level.
Retail Regulation
Retail Regulation
Price regulation at retail level should above all ensure that price reductions granted by operators at wholesale level are passed on to the consumers while leaving operators enough room for innovation of new services and tariff bundles.
Price regulation at retail level should above all ensure that price reductions granted by operators at wholesale level are passed on to the consumers while leaving operators enough room for innovation of new services and tariff bundles.
The absolute price cap at retail level shall only apply to a regulated retail tariff ("Euro Tariff") which has to be offered by any operator on a mandatory basis.
The absolute price cap at retail level shall only apply to a regulated retail tariff ("Euro Tariff") which has to be offered by any operator on a mandatory basis.
This tariff should consist of an all-inclusive price per call or per time unit and may be adapted by the European Parliament and the European Council if necessary.
This tariff should consist of an all-inclusive price per call or per time unit and may be adapted by the European Parliament and the European Council if necessary.
Operators are obliged to provide full information on the conditions of this tariff and allow the consumer to easily opt into the “Euro Tariff”.
Operators are obliged to provide full information on the conditions of this tariff and allow the consumer to easily opt into the “Euro Tariff”.
In order to raise competition in the market for mobile data transfer and to create European wide comparability of roaming service prices, operators shall also be obliged to offer an international all-inclusive monthly flat rate.
In order to raise competition in the market for mobile data transfer and to create European wide comparability of roaming service prices, operators shall also be obliged to offer an international all-inclusive monthly flat rate.
This flat rate has to comprise the basic fee, national and international roaming call charges, charges for mobile data transfer (SMS, MMS, Mobile TV, etc.) and charges for any services offered to the consumer at a later point in time.
This flat rate has to comprise the basic fee, national and international roaming call charges, charges for mobile data transfer (SMS, MMS, Mobile TV, etc.) and charges for any services offered to the consumer at a later point in time.
No price regulation shall apply to the flat rate.
No price regulation shall apply to the flat rate.
If both requirements ("Euro Tariff" and all-inclusive flat rate) are met by operators all other existing or new international roaming tariff models are not subject to regulation thus leaving operators the freedom to customize their service bundles.
If both requirements ("Euro Tariff" and all-inclusive flat rate) are met by operators all other existing or new international roaming tariff models are not subject to regulation thus leaving operators the freedom to customize their service bundles.
Price regulation at retail level should come into force without delay and shall expire when the geographical price barriers are overcome and a well functioning internal market is established.
Price regulation at retail level should come into force without delay and shall expire when the geographical price barriers are overcome and a well functioning internal market is established.
An active "push system" is preferable to price information on request ("pull system").
An active "push system" is preferable to price information on request ("pull system").
In order to avid spamming information has to be restricted to the indication of prices and consumers must be given the possibility to switch to a "pull system" if they whish to do so.
In order to avid spamming information has to be restricted to the indication of prices and consumers must be given the possibility to switch to a "pull system" if they whish to do so.
Consumers have to be informed in real time about the costs they are encountering while roaming
Consumers have to be informed in real time about the costs they are encountering while roaming
Proportionality of costs of informing consumers has to be ensured.
Proportionality of costs of informing consumers has to be ensured.
In order to being able to pass on price reductions granted at wholesale level, transparency on prices charged among operators has to be increased.
In order to being able to pass on price reductions granted at wholesale level, transparency on prices charged among operators has to be increased.
As long as there is no European regulatory authority, national regulators are asked to ensure transparency.
As long as there is no European regulatory authority, national regulators are asked to ensure transparency.
Further Steps
Further Steps
The European Parliament asks the Commission to closely monitor price developments in international mobile data transfer and asses the necessity of further regulation in this field.
The European Parliament asks the Commission to closely monitor price developments in international mobile data transfer and asses the necessity of further regulation in this field.
The rapporteur points out to the high risk for innovation of new technologies and services in this field due to excessive pricing.
The rapporteur points out to the high risk for innovation of new technologies and services in this field due to excessive pricing.
In this context, the proposed regulation has to achieve a balanced approach taking into account both the interests of the customer , as well as the interests of the mobile telecommunication industry .
In this context, the proposed regulation has to achieve a balanced approach taking into account both the interests of the customer , as well as the interests of the mobile telecommunication industry .
Thus should achieve a significant reduction in roaming prices as well as keep the level playing field for the mobile operators competitive.
Thus should achieve a significant reduction in roaming prices as well as keep the level playing field for the mobile operators competitive.
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile networks within the Community and amending Directive 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on roaming on public mobile networks within the Community and amending Directive 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services
About 147 million European Union citizens (37 million tourists and 110 million business customers)
About 147 million European Union citizens (37 million tourists and 110 million business customers)
Commission impact assessment in SEC (2006) 925, p.
Commission impact assessment in SEC (2006) 925, p.
19. are at present affected by the extremely high charges for international roaming by mobile telephony, that is, the opportunity to make or merely receive mobile phone calls abroad.
19. are at present affected by the extremely high charges for international roaming by mobile telephony, that is, the opportunity to make or merely receive mobile phone calls abroad.
Such calls are made possible through international roaming agreements between the operator who has the relationship with the customer, and the foreign operator to whose network the customer gains access.
Such calls are made possible through international roaming agreements between the operator who has the relationship with the customer, and the foreign operator to whose network the customer gains access.
Consumer associations, national regulatory authorities and most political leaders agree that the charge for roaming services has not fallen as a result of the dynamic effect of competition between telephone service operators, although the phenomenon has been shown to apply to national mobile communications.
Consumer associations, national regulatory authorities and most political leaders agree that the charge for roaming services has not fallen as a result of the dynamic effect of competition between telephone service operators, although the phenomenon has been shown to apply to national mobile communications.
Instead roaming rates have remained unjustifiably high, lacking in transparency and suspiciously similar between the various operators working in a given Member State.
Instead roaming rates have remained unjustifiably high, lacking in transparency and suspiciously similar between the various operators working in a given Member State.
In view of the obvious unwillingness of telephone service providers to reduce their roaming rates, in spite of warnings voiced for several years at national and European level, and most recently by Parliament itself in its Resolution of December 2005, the Commission put forward the present proposal for a regulation in July last year.
In view of the obvious unwillingness of telephone service providers to reduce their roaming rates, in spite of warnings voiced for several years at national and European level, and most recently by Parliament itself in its Resolution of December 2005, the Commission put forward the present proposal for a regulation in July last year.
Main points of the Commission proposal
Main points of the Commission proposal
The proposal sets price limits for wholesale charges.
The proposal sets price limits for wholesale charges.
For local calls made within the country visited the wholesale price limit is equal to twice the Community average mobile termination rate.
For local calls made within the country visited the wholesale price limit is equal to twice the Community average mobile termination rate.
For international calls, made by customers to their country of origin or another Community Member State, the wholesale price limit is equal to three times the Community average mobile termination rate.
For international calls, made by customers to their country of origin or another Community Member State, the wholesale price limit is equal to three times the Community average mobile termination rate.
The price limit for the supply of retail roaming is 130 % of the limit applied to wholesale charges.
The price limit for the supply of retail roaming is 130 % of the limit applied to wholesale charges.
For received calls, this threshold applies until the entry into force of the new regulation.
For received calls, this threshold applies until the entry into force of the new regulation.
But for outward calls the retail charge limits will enter into force automatically after six months.
But for outward calls the retail charge limits will enter into force automatically after six months.
The proposal also encourages price transparency by introducing the requirement on mobile telephony service providers to give their subscribers personalised information on roaming charges on request and free of charge, by Short Message Service (SMS) or orally.
The proposal also encourages price transparency by introducing the requirement on mobile telephony service providers to give their subscribers personalised information on roaming charges on request and free of charge, by Short Message Service (SMS) or orally.
The proposals
The proposals
The draftsman is bound to admit to some perplexity at this anomalous proposal for a regulation.
The draftsman is bound to admit to some perplexity at this anomalous proposal for a regulation.
He is firmly convinced that the highly acceptable aim of reducing the price of a product should be pursued through healthy competition between market forces rather than by means of a dirigiste intervention for regulating prices directly.
He is firmly convinced that the highly acceptable aim of reducing the price of a product should be pursued through healthy competition between market forces rather than by means of a dirigiste intervention for regulating prices directly.