The Commission’s amended proposal adapts the original proposal on a number of points as suggested by the European Parliament.
It is recalled that the objective is to adjust the regulatory framework for e-communications, notably the Framework, Authorisationand Access Directives, by improving its effectiveness, reducing the administrative resources needed for implementing economic regulation and making access to radio frequencies simpler and more efficient. It is in line with the Commission’s Better Regulation Programme, which is designed to ensure that legislative intervention remains proportionate to the political objectives pursued, and forms part of the Commission’s overall strategy to strengthen and complete the internal market.
More specifically, the proposal aims to:
- move towards a more efficient management of spectrum so as to facilitate access to spectrum for operators and to foster innovation;
- ensure that, where regulation remains necessary, this is more efficient and simpler both for operators and for national regulatory authorities (NRAs);
- make a decisive step towards more consistency in the application of EU rules in order to complete the internal market for electronic communications.
On 24 September, the European Parliament adopted 164 amendments at 1st reading. In its amended proposal, the Commission accepts, in their entirety, 31 of these amendments.
It accepts, in part or subject to rewording, 37 Parliament amendments.
In particular, the Commission accepts the creation of a Body of European Telecoms Regulators and inserts new wording stressing the importance it gives to cooperation between national regulatory authorities. According to the amended proposal, the reform also includes the definition of an efficient and coordinated spectrum management strategy in order to achieve a Single European Information Space and the reinforcement of provisions for users with disabilities in order to obtain an inclusive information society.
The Commission also takes account of amendments concerning the procedure to promote greater regulatory coordination and coherence of proposed solutions as well as the strategic planning and coordination of radio spectrum policy in the European Community.
It should be noted that 46 amendments were rejected by the Commission.