21 April 2016

In a letter addressed to Commissioner Oettinger, Vice-President Andrus Ansip and other Commissioners, 25 associations including ECTA expressed their concerns aiming at modifying a vectoring monopoly largely granted by the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) that would benefit Deutsche Telekom. The Commission has received the draft notification of the German regulator.
The transition to a gigabit society can only be realized through competition rather than new technological monopolies.

Brussels, 21 March 2016: Today, the European Parliament’s Long-term Investment Intergroup organised a conference on ‘The digital revolution: How to finance network infrastructures?’ Efficient investment in high-quality, high speed infrastructures and the take-up of very high speed broadband are at the core of the discussion as very high speed connectivity is becoming indispensable to participation in a Connected Society. European regulation has a key role in ensuring that very high speed broadband is available everywhere at an affordable price to European consumers and businesses. 

BUSINESS LEADERS HIGHLIGHT E13 BILLION COST OF PROTECTIONISM IN TELECOMS

New study finds that pro-competitive policies could increase investment by a third

Business leaders representing some of the largest competitive communications carriers in Europe have called for President Barroso to take firm action to combat protectionist policies in telecoms. In a meeting with the European Commission President on 29 March, they identified barriers created by incumbents as the key blockage to greater investment and innovation for Europe's consumers and businesses.

European Parliament beats the drum of competition in the interest of end-users

Brussels, 10 March 2016: In a resolution focused on the way towards a thriving data-driven economy, the European Parliament once again advocates in favour of competition.

AUTOMOTIVE & TELECOM INDUSTRIES SET JOINT PRIORITIES FOR CONNECTED AND AUTOMATED CARS

Image credit: Thinkstock

Barcelona, 22 February 2016 – In order to facilitate the uptake of automated and connected driving in the near future, the European automotive and telecom sectors have identified three priority areas for further cooperation at the annual Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

European Parliament confirms that competition is the best trigger of investment in digital infrastructures – twice!

Brussels, 19 January 2016: Today, the European Parliament voted on the report on Towards a Digital Single Market Act by rapporteurs Kaja Kallas (ALDE, EE) and Evelyne Gebhardt (S&D, DE).

This report offsets out the European Parliament’s position on all aspects of the Digital Single Market Strategy presented by the European Commission on 6 May 2015 and is characterised by a strong support for innovation- friendly policies and competition.

ECTA Board elects Gijs Phoelich as new ECTA Chairman and Martin Witt as Vice-Chairman

Brussels, 15 January 2016: The ECTA Board elected Gijs Phoelich, General Counsel & Company Secretary of Eurofiber as new Chairman and Martin Witt, CEO of 1&1 and President of VATM as Vice-Chairman.

ECTA welcomes new Commission study on targeted harmonisation for a successful Digital Single Market
Recommending more consistent availability of active wholesale access products across the EU

Brussels, 16 December 2015: The European Commission recently published a study conducted by WIK and TNO on harmonisation of access and interoperability products. Active wholesale access products are essential for ensuring that end-users – be they consumers or enterprises – benefit from choice, competitive offeringsand get the quality they need as well as value for money.

Creation of ECTA CEO Council: the pro-competitive voice for meeting the challenges of the digital world

Brussels, 16 November 2015: Today the CEOs of ten ECTA member companies – 1&1, Eurofiber, EWE TEL, Fastweb, Iliad, Inexio, Level 3 Communications, Play, QSC, Tele2 – gathered in Brussels to establish a new high level advisory group: the ECTA CEO Council. 

ECTA statement on the vote of the European Parliament on the European single market for electronic communications

Brussels, 27 October 2015: Today the European Parliament approved the Council's first reading position on the European single market for electronic communications concerning roaming and net neutrality.