The European Union is set to launch new reform proposals for the telecoms sector in a bid to increase competition and create a single market. Draft proposals are expected to include plans to create a regional watchdog and give Brussels greater power to change the decisions of national regulators.

The plans, set to be announced next week will need to be approved by the EU’s 27 member states and Germany and Spain are seen as strong opponents of certain aspects of the plans.

The driving force behind the changes is the EU view that more consistency between member nations’ telecommunications legislation is needed. The Commission wants the power to override a national regulator’s decision regarding a competition issue if it believes it is inadequate.

It has also argued that technological developments mean there is a need to review regulation, especially as technology is moving away from more traditional fixed-line services that rely on wire infrastructure.

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