Homo Digitalis joined epicenter.works and other 16 organisations, supporting an open internet and a competitive telecommunications market in the European Union!

With our statement, we express our concerns and observations on the current discussions on the future of the EU telecoms sector regulatory framework. Following the publication of the European Commission’s White Paper on “How to master Europe’s digital infrastructure needs” (the “White Paper”), and ahead of the upcoming Telecommunications Council of 21 May 2024, we call on EU Member States to take a pro-competitive, consumer centric approach and oppose any proposals for premature and unjustified changes to the EU telecommunications regulatory framework.

We are especially concerned that the European Commission’s White Paper, in its proposed scenario 5, second bullet point 2, suggests “recommending no markets for presumptive ex ante regulation”. This would amount to a removal of obligations for former monopolist Telecoms incumbents, measures which would result in reduced competition, hinder rollout of high-capacity infrastructure and limit the availability of affordable options for European consumers and businesses.

We therefore regret such considerations of the European Commission in the White Paper and in various public statements since its publication, including that “rules on interconnection should apply to everyone”, or that “an arbitration mechanism could be foreseen”.

We call on EU ministers to take a pro-competition, positive innovation, and consumer centric approach, strongly opposing any policy scenario that may result in legal uncertainty and detrimental consequences for European consumers, businesses and the open internet.

You can read our joint statement here.