Brussels - Improving conditions for private sector investment in high speed broadband networks in line with the Digital Agenda objectives should be the key policy priority of the forthcoming Hungarian Presidency of the EU, reiterated ETNO members on the occasion of a luncheon meeting today with Mr. László Tóth, Head of Department, Office of the Hungarian Minister of State for Infocommunications Zsolt Nyitrai.

A more investment- friendly regulatory environment will allow ETNO members, who are the main investors in high speed networks and services, to further contribute to achieving the Digital Agenda objectives – and in particular, the targets for fast and ultra-fast broadband deployment and take-up.

“As rapidly growing data traffic increases congestion problems, there is a need for a sustainable economic model for the development of the Internet:  Internet players who generate increasing traffic should contribute to investments to meet the need for very high speed broadband networks. The EU should allow new business models to emerge, such as offers differentiated according to quality”, says Luigi Gambardella, ETNO Executive Board Chairman.

Additional spectrum is essential to contribute to solve the ‘digital divide’ and to address the huge increase in data traffic over high speed mobile networks. ETNO called on the Hungarian Presidency to work towards a timely adoption of the Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) Decision in order to achieve a swift opening up of the ‘digital dividend’ spectrum band to mobile broadband services throughout the EU.

ETNO members highlighted the key importance of trust and security for citizens to further embrace broadband and reaffirmed their strong commitment to continuously investing in the security of their networks well beyond existing requirements.

“ETNO also reiterated its strong concerns with the recently adopted Hungarian law imposing a tax on key industry sectors, including telecommunications. Such a tax hampers the ability of the telecoms sector to invest in the much needed high speed networks and hence to contribute to the Digital Agenda objective. The tax mainly affects companies from outside Hungary and raises concerns in view of the principles of the EU internal market”, added Gambardella.

For more information, please contact Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager Tel:    (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be

ETNO’s 41 member companies from 35 European countries represent a significant part of total ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more than €250 billion and employ over one million people across Europe. ETNO companies are the main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.