EURIM Working Group on
Communications Policy & Regulatory Strategy
Introduction and Terms of Reference
Recent Meetings
Group Outputs (Papers and Briefings)
Other Relevant Documents & Links
Members
Page – for meeting details, minutes, working drafts, and
additional group information
Previous
work programme for this group
Introduction and Terms of Reference
This
group builds on over a decade of success in setting the agenda
for debate, beginning with a "map" of issues and players
in 1994 which transformed thinking within the commission by
illustrating the range and diversity of choice that was emerging in
the UK. It then helped set the agenda for regulatory convergence
which culminated with the formation of Ofcom. The group played a
major role in assisting the innovations in pre-legislative scrutiny
which were credited with cutting the number of amendments to the
Communications Bill by at least 400. Key to that success is the way
it puts the experience and expertise of business users of
communications alongside that of service operators and equipment
suppliers.
Objectives
To secure public policies and regulatory strategies which promote
and assist the establishment of world-class, secure, resilient
communications networks together with universally available,
affordable, fixed and mobile broadband access networks connecting
businesses, citizens and consumers, as well as democratically
accountable and technology neutral light-touch regulatory
frameworks, which encourage competition, innovation and quality of
service in line with user/customer/citizen priorities.
Strategy
Parliamentary and Political to:
-
encourage the generation and implementation of
European, national and regional policies in the area of
converged communications;
-
foster
the creation of a single, pan-European market in telecoms
networks and services in furtherance of the Lisbon agenda;
-
encourage
UK inputs to formation and scrutiny of European Policy,
including development and revision of relevant Directives and
Recommendations and in the Parliament and its Committees, in
co-operation with the European Internet Foundation and others,
with meetings in both London and Brussels;
-
encourage
and support political scrutiny of plans, including the issues
that need to be addressed in any review of the Communications
Act 2003, to ensure that the UK communications infrastructure is
fit for the demands that will be placed on it in 2012 and
thereafter.
Industrial and Professional to:
-
identify and assess possible
means of encouraging investment in next generation networks,
including the removal of obstacles: e.g. local/regional
public-private infrastructure partnerships, business rates on
communications infrastructure investment and standby facilities,
100% capital allowances etc.;
-
collate views on the
establishment of a political and regulatory regime that fosters
the creation of carrier-neutral, open access broadband networks
in a world where distinctions between fixed and mobile, cable
and wireless are blurring and roaming across boarders is
increasingly commonplace.
Recent
Meetings
Group
Outputs (Papers & Briefings)
Other Relevant Documents and Links
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