Telecommunications: European Parliament adopts report on Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors.

The European Parliament have adopted the report on European Commission’s Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors.

The Green Paper, published in December 1997, analysed the convergence process and possible implications for the regulatory framework in telecommunications, media and information technology. It proposed solutions and listed both the real and potential barriers to convergence. The principle matters under consideration included consumer interest, standards, access systems and control, access to the frequency spectrum, market access and authorisation and the problems of definition.

The Parliament have recommended that the infrastructure rules be separate from those concerning material transmitted via the networks and that sector-specific policy objectives be retained.

The MEPs are also asking the Commission to prepare a Directive to correct the current shortcomings in the area, particularly those relating to consumer rights.