According to the GSMA, the European Parliament’s proposals to restrict traffic management to a very narrow set of circumstances would constrain the development of new services, limit consumer choice and restrict the way operators need to ensure the internet continues to work for everybody. “We urge Member States to work with the Parliament and the Commission to agree provisions on the open internet that work for consumers, businesses and the whole European economy,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General of the GSMA.
The lobby group for mobile operators also urged Member States to support the EC’s proposals on wider spectrum harmonisation and reiterated its call for broad and bold reform with a focus on the timely release of new capacity that is harmonised across the single market with a view to driving long-term growth and investment. “A concerted push to harmonise and coordinate aspects of spectrum policy can provide more certainty, as operators plan medium to long-term network deployments,” said the GSMA.
With regard to uncertainty over the various roaming regulations, the GSMA encouraged Member States to challenge the rationale of changing the current roaming regulation before its review date in 2016. “The GSMA supports regulatory certainty and market-driven solutions for roaming and believes the impact and implications of further regulatory change at this stage should be fully assessed,” it said.
