Advanced Television

Thierry Breton.

EC’s Breton: ‘We can lead connectivity revolution’

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market at the European Commission, has suggested that Europe has all it takes to lead the connectivity revolution. Delivering a Keynote Speech at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, he told delegates that “this is where the vision of the future of connectivity becomes reality, with all the newest […]

February 27, 2023By Colin Mann

EC unveils Gigabit connectivity initiatives

The European Commission has presented a set of actions aimed to make Gigabit connectivity available to all citizens and businesses across the EU by 2030, in line with the objectives of Europe’s Digital Decade, and to enable the transformation of the connectivity sector in the EU. The initiatives on Connectivity consist of: First, the Commission […]

February 24, 2023By Colin Mann

Euro-IX warns of ‘fair share’ traffic risks

Euro-IX, the trade body of European Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), representing most of the European IXP community, whether measured by traffic carried, number of networks served or overall network capacity, has written to Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Markets, expressing its concerns surrounding the […]

January 5, 2023By Colin Mann

EC OKs in-flight 5G

Airlines will be able to provide the latest 5G technology on their planes, alongside previous mobile technology generations following the European Commission’s updating of the implementing decision on spectrum for mobile communications on-board aircrafts, designating certain frequencies for in-flight 5G technology. Passengers aboard flights in the EU will be able to use their mobile phones […]

November 25, 2022By Colin Mann

EC adopts Media Freedom Act

The European Commission has adopted a European Media Freedom Act, describing it as a novel set of rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU. The proposed Regulation includes, among others, safeguards against political interference in editorial decisions and against surveillance. It puts a focus on the independence and stable funding of public […]

September 16, 2022By Colin Mann

EC to make social and streamer giants pay for networks?

The European Commission is to launch a consultation early in 2023 on whether tech giants should bear some of the costs of Europe’s telecoms networks, according to Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market. Europe’s telecoms operators have lobbied for a financial contribution from firms such as Google, Facebook and Netflix, contending that they make […]

September 12, 2022By Colin Mann

Call for live content piracy legislative action

Prominent MEPs, leaders of the media sector, anti-Piracy experts, legal experts and representatives of sports rights owners and live performances in Europe, have urged the European Commission to ensure its 2023 work programme would include a legislative proposal to address piracy of live content. This confirms and adds support to this much needed instrument already […]

September 8, 2022By Colin Mann

Viaplay head meets EU Commissioner

Anders Jensen, Viaplay Group President and CEO, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market of the European Union, have met in Brussels to discuss the future competitiveness of Europe’s audiovisual and streaming sector, and the urgent need for supportive policy frameworks that create a more level playing field for ambitious European businesses such as […]

June 28, 2022By Colin Mann

Free mobile roaming continues for EU travellers

The European Commission has welcomed the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and EU Member States on the new Roaming Regulation. The new regulation will prolong until 2032 the existing system whereby citizens cannot be subject to extra charges for calls or data used while travelling within the EU and it will also bring […]

December 9, 2021By Colin Mann

EC consults on fast broadband network rollout

The European Commission has opened a public consultation, as part of the review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive, to collect views, until March 2nd 2021, on incentivising the rollout of fast broadband networks, including fibre and 5G. The Directive, introduced in 2014, aims to enable fast electronic communications networks for people across the EU […]

December 3, 2020By Colin Mann