EU Telecoms Policy

Latest news about the European Union's policy on telecommunications.

WIFI4EU - Free Wi-Fi for Europeans — 17 September 2019, 17:58 CET

The WiFi4EU initiative supports the installation of free public Wi-Fi hotspots in local communities across the EU: in public squares, town halls, parks, libraries, and other public spaces.

WIFI4EU - Free Wi-Fi for Europeans — 12 January 2022, 22:50 CET

The WiFi4EU initiative promotes free access to Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens in public spaces including parks, squares, public buildings, libraries, health centres and museums in municipalities throughout Europe.

End of roaming charges in 2017: Q&A on fair use policy and other preparatory measures — 22 September 2016, 22:49 CET

The European Commission discussed on 21 September a revised draft of the rules needed to avoid abuses of the end of roaming charges in time for June 2017.

New EU roaming plan drops time limits — 22 September 2016, 00:33 CET

The European Commission agreed at its weekly meeting Wednesday to make a number of changes to the EU plan to end mobile phone roaming charges in 2017 in order to "avoid abuses".

EU should focus on boosting competition in telecom sector overhaul — 14 September 2016, 18:08 CET

The European Commission has today proposed to adapt EU telecom rules and ensure citizens have high-speed access to the internet and better protection in communication services. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) welcomes these measures but is worried that the new rules could lead to less competition between telecom providers.

Vodafone welcomes EU Commission's revision of EU telecoms framework — 14 September 2016, 15:34 CET

Vodafone welcomes the review of the EU telecoms framework resulting in today’s proposal for a new European Electronic Communications Code and the Commission’s Communication on its vision for the European Gigabit Society.

BEUC and MEPs call for end to high international phone and SMS costs in EU — 14 July 2016, 23:08 CET

The European Consumer Organisation and Members of the European Parliament from across political ailes today called on the European Commission to bring down unjustifiably high costs for calling or texting another EU country.

UK broadband scheme complies with EU state aid rules — 26 May 2016, 18:13 CET

The UK's National Broadband Scheme for 2016-2020, which aims to connect homes and businesses throughout the UK to high speed broadband. complies with EU state aid rules, the EU said Thursday.

EU blocks Hutchison acquisition of O2 in the UK — 12 May 2016, 15:29 CET

The European Commission blocked the proposed acquisition of O2 by Hutchison under the EU Merger Regulation Wednesday. It says the merger would have led to less choice and higher prices for UK mobile customers.

EU roaming charges come down before their end in 2017 — 03 May 2016, 16:44 CET

Texting or surfing online from another EU Member State (roaming) became cheaper Saturday as new rules on roaming and net neutrality entered into force.

Commission plans to digitise Europe's industry — 19 April 2016, 19:08 CET

The European Commission set out plans Tuesday to help European industry make the most of new digital technologies and to boost investment in the sector.

5G and the EU — 24 February 2016, 16:01 CET

The 'fifth generation' of telecommunications systems, or 5G, will be the most critical building block of our "digital society" in the next decade. Europe has taken significant steps to lead global developments towards this strategic technology.

Proposal to boost mobile internet services with high-quality radio frequencies — 04 February 2016, 22:41 CET

The European Commission presented on 2 February a proposal to coordinate the use of the 700 MHz band for mobile services. It will improve internet access for all Europeans and help develop cross-border applications.

EU reaches unambitious deal on Roaming charges and Net Neutrality — 30 June 2015, 14:04 CET

Negotiations between the European Parliament and Council on a Telecoms Single Market regulation concluded today, setting a deadline to abolish roaming charges and making a start on an EU-wide Net Neutrality principle (i.e. treating internet data equally and banning the blocking of internet services).

Deal for cheaper mobile calls and open internet — 30 June 2015, 13:06 CET

An informal deal to ban 'roaming fees, or surcharges for making mobile phone calls, sending text messages or using the internet while abroad in another EU Member State from 15 June 2017, was struck by MEPs and EU ministers in the small hours of Tuesday morning. MEPs also inserted guarantees that all internet traffic is treated equally, without discrimination.

EU investigation against Google in relation to Android mobile operating system — 15 April 2015, 13:37 CET

The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Google to investigate in-depth if the company’s conduct in relation to its Android mobile operating system as well as applications and services for smartphones and tablets has breached EU antitrust rules.

Galileo, the EU's satellite navigation programme — 30 March 2015, 11:24 CET

Galileo, the EU's satellite navigation programme, has placed two more satellites into orbit. The lift-off took place on 27 March at 22.46 CET from the European spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana.Signals confirm that they were positioned as expected.

Digital Single Market Strategy — 25 March 2015, 20:04 CET

The European Commission's College of Commissioners on 25 March had a first discussion on the Digital Single Market Strategy due in May. It set out the main areas the Commission will focus its work on with the aim of triggering real changes for consumers and businesses alike.

Telecoms: Recommendation on relevant markets — 09 October 2014, 14:37 CET

The European Commission – in agreement with Member States - decided on 9 October that two telecom markets should no longer be subject to regulation in Europe, and that two more should be redefined to reflect market and technology developments. The rules take effect immediately.

Commission report on radio spectrum and UHF band — 04 September 2014, 21:41 CET

Europe's broadcasting and wireless broadband sectors are seen as essential to Europe's digital future and economic prosperity, and they are both hungry users of radio frequencies. On 1 September, former Commissioner Pascal Lamy presented the European Commission with a report on how to use the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) spectrum (the 700 Megahertz (MHz) band) most effectively in the coming decades. The UHF band represents "prime real estate" in terms of use, capacity and reach. Commissioner Neelie Kroes also announced new rules on the harmonisation of spectrum bands used by wireless microphones, also in the UHF band, as well as the first report of an inventory showing how EU Member States are using their radio frequencies today and what to focus on tomorrow. Combined, all three elements should help to secure the long-term future for broadband, broadcast and other wireless services in Europe.

GALILEO, the EU's satellite navigation programme — 26 August 2014, 17:18 CET

Galileo, the EU's satellite navigation programme, on 21 August sent two more satellites into space, reaching a total number of 6 satellites in orbit. The lift-off took place at the European spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana. The launch marked another milestone for Galileo as a step towards a fully-fledged European-owned satellite navigation system. These two satellites are the first of a new series which is fully owned by the EU. With the addition of a new wave of such satellites to the existing array, the availability and coverage of the Galileo signal is expected to gradually improve and bring us a step closer to the fully operational phase of the programme. The satellites launched, Doresa and Milena, were named by two schoolchildren who won an EU wide drawing competition to name them.

Connected Communities — 10 July 2014, 16:04 CET

The European Commission launched on 10 July launches the "Connected Communities" initiative – an umbrella for several systems designed to connect towns, cities, local broadband partnerships and operators to the advice they need to access finance and develop tailored business models for bringing fast broadband to their community.

Mobile data roaming price caps from 1 July — 24 June 2014, 18:20 CET

From 1 July 2014, the EU will cut the price caps for data downloads by more than half: down from 45 cents per megabyte to 20c/MB. It will become even cheaper to use maps, watch videos, check mails and update social networks while travelling across the EU.

5G mobile technology deal with South Korea — 19 June 2014, 21:42 CET

The agreement signed in Seoul on 16 June is a milestone in the global race to develop 5G mobile technologies. The EU and South Korea have agreed to work towards a global definition of 5G and to cooperate in 5G research. They also agreed on the need for harmonized radio spectrum to ensure global interoperability and on the preparation of global standards for 5G.

Commercial access to Earth observation data: new EU proposal — 17 June 2014, 19:11 CET

Businesses and research institutions will soon have more reliable access to commercial earth observation satellite data, according to a proposal presented by the European Commission in Brussels on 17 June.