European Commission: Results of Public Consultation on the Green Paper on the Convergence of the Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology Sectors

IRIS 1999-4:1/1

Annemique de Kroon

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

The European Commission has adopted a Communication reporting on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors. The main message that arose through the process of consultation is that regulation in this area should be transparent, clear and proportionate and should distinguish between transport (transmission of signals) and content.

Therefore, a more horizontal approach to regulation with a homogenous treatment of all transport network infrastructure and associated services, irrespective of the types of services carried, is required. There is a need for a balanced solution as to how public broadcasting can be best integrated into the new environment. The Communication brings to a close the consultation process associated with the Green Paper on Convergence. The European Commission will now start developing proposals for action on regulatory reform. The proposals will include reforms in the regulation of infrastructure and associated services and actions with regard to both content and infrastructure. Actions relating to content will include the verification of the transposition and application of the Television Without Frontiers Directive.