The GSMA highlights importance of 5G-Friendly Implementation of New Telecoms Rules
Date
05 Dec 2018
Sections
Climate & Environment
Policymakers Must Ensure a Stable and Positive Regulatory Environment for European Business and Citizens to Benefit from 5G
4 December 2018, Brussels: Today Telecoms Ministers at the EU Council adopted the European Electronic Communications Code, completing the challenging EU negotiations on this important legislation. The GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer John Giusti commented on the regulation and the future impact:
“In the GSMA’s view, it is crucial that new telecoms rules, which will be enacted over the next two years, create a more stable and positive regulatory environment to encourage critical investments in next-generation 5G networks.
“Deployment of next-generation 5G networks has the important opportunity to boost the region’s competitiveness and empower European citizens. The relevant forthcoming European Commission Decisions and BEREC Guidelines will significantly impact the ability of the European telecommunications industry to deliver on this ambition. We are looking forward to continuing the policy dialogue with all institutions involved in the transposition and implementation of the Code.
“The end result of the Code’s implementation process should ensure a pro-investment regulatory climate with a meaningful and robust 5G-friendly approach, including in the area of spectrum management. The GSMA believes that only such an assurance will allow the industry to make the necessary network investments that will ultimately benefit consumers.
“At the EU Council meeting, Telecoms Ministers will also further discuss the Regulation on ePrivacy (ePR). Ahead of these discussions, the GSMA urges Ministers to consider the impact of the ePR on existing and future products and services that are critical to Europe’s digital growth, including 5G but also the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence.
“As shown in the past, Europe has the ability to overcome difficult decisions. Now it has the responsibility – alongside the national governments and regulators – to ensure a more solid and scalable EU market to benefit the region’s citizens, and to foster a more robust future for the mobile industry and the entire European digital economy. The GSMA would like to thank the Austrian EU Council Presidency for its hard work in progressing negotiations on these important legislative initiatives and we look forward to working with the incoming Romanian Presidency to carry this forward.”
ENDS
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA, @GSMAEurope.