UK and European telecoms watchdogs will be debating this week whether incentives should be offered to tempt leading broadband ISPs to invest in new high speed infrastructures.
The EU’s information society and media commissioner Viviane Reding urged national regulators to boost investment in optic fibre: “The treatment of Next Generation Networks is one of the most important regulatory issues facing us over the coming year,” said Reding. “I want regulation to encourage investment in future networks. Regulatory holidays are not the solution, what we need is the appropriate regulation that safeguards competition while creating new incentives for investment.”
In contrast, Ofcom’s Ed Richard debated: “Ofcom’s role is to deliver a robust regulatory framework allowing industry to deploy when there is a clear business case for doing so and in a manner which brings benefits to consumers.”
The difference in opinion is already serving to heighten troubled relationships being Ofcom and Brussels-based watchdogs.
Ofcom is in consultation on the new policy until 5th December.
Sphere: Related Content
0 Responses to “Ofcom and EU at loggerheads for high-speed broadband row”