13 April 2006
The European Commission (EC) has said that there is no need to extend its universal service safety net to cover broadband services.
Universal provision status is made when EU citizens are denied certain services because of being in a remote location or because a lack of competition keeps prices too high.
In a report, it said that broadband services had become affordable simply left to market forces.
Stakeholders from a cross-section of interested parties such as government officials, private companies and citizens, backed the EC's decision.
"This report reflects a broad stakeholder consensus that bringing mobile and high-speed internet services to users is best left to the market, except where structural problems such as geographical remoteness justify specific public investment to help bridge the broadband gap," said information society and media commissioner, Viviane Reding.
The door was left open for some changes in EC rules, however, in the light of changing technology.
"Stakeholders also generally agree that the concept and provision of universal service which safeguards access to basic but vital communications services for disadvantaged users, does need to be updated for the internet age.
"This year's review of the EU's electronic communications rules will give the opportunity to look at provision of universal service in an IP world."
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