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BT welcomes final text of the EU regulatory framework
BT has welcomed the announcement that the European Parliament has agreed the final text of the long-awaited new European Union (EU) regulatory framework for the electronic communications industry.
"These are long-awaited reforms which we hope will really deliver a better deal for consumers and businesses," said BT president of group public and government affairs Larry Stone.
"BT strongly supports the EU's drive for a more consistent single market, allowing for more competition, innovation and consumer choice in the telecoms sector."
The final text covers a range of issues important for European consumers and businesses - including improving competition in the sector, universal service, consumer protection and privacy. It will also set up a new body of European telecoms regulators - the Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications (BEREC) - which should help ensure a more consistent level playing field across Europe so all barriers to fair competition are removed and remedies are rapidly implemented when appropriate.
Larry said BT hopes BEREC can build on the good work already done by the European Regulators Group (ERG) - including a focus on the need for more effective competition in the business services market.
"Telecoms and networked IT services for European businesses make a major contribution to economic growth and productivity," said Larry. "We need a clear set of rules, encouraging efficient investment and competition in next generation networks and services. This will need to form a key part of the commission's new digital single market agenda. The speedy implementation of the new rules should be one of the key tasks of the next information society commissioner."
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