1. Richard Harris DG Information Society European Commission EICTA - PHARE Business support programme Brussels, 5 December 2001 “EU Policy for electronic communications, Implications for EU Candidate Countries”

2. Agenda e-Europe New regulatory package for telecommunications Implications for candidate countries

3. e-Europe 2002 Purpose: accelerate transition to the Information Society increase coherence within EU Political endorsement: Lisbon and Feira A new strategic goal for the next decade: “to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world” Action Plan: Europe’s response to the challenge of the New Economy

4. Internet take-up in EU homes (% of homes - October 2000/June 2001) Source: European Commission / Eurobarometer - October 2000 / June 2001

5. Priorities for action  Complete telecoms liberalisation to drive prices further down.  Security and confidence in cyberspace.  Promotion of content.  Bridge the digital divide by giving skills to all.  Associate our neighbours to the eEurope process.

6. Source: Mobile Communications - August 2000 / August 2001 Mobile users in Europe (% of population - August 2000/2001)

7. 18 October 2001 Security problems experienced by EU Internet users ( October 2000 - June 2001) 0 10 20 30 Source: European Commission / Eurobarometer - October 2000 / June 2001 Too many unsolicited e-mails 9% 24% Virus attack 8% 15% Abuse of credit card number 1%

8. eGovernment Openness and transparency is a first step With interactivity will come responsiveness, personalisation and cost-efficiency eGovernment conference on 29-30 Nov. 2001 in Brussels on joint Commission-Belgian Presidency initiative

9. 18 October 2001 Digital exclusion - Social factors (% of population who already used the Internet) Source: European Commission / Eurobarometer - June 2001 (population aged over 15) EU average: 46.2% AgeEducation levelArea of residence Gender

10. 18 October 2001 Internet access in EU schools (% of all schools) Source: European Commission / Eurobarometer - May 2001 Schools connected to the Internet Schools where pupils have Internet access

11. 18 October 2001 Digital training in the EU (% of population) Source: European Commission / Eurobarometer - June 2001 (Population aged over 15) Computer training Internet training

12. Agenda e-Europe New regulatory package Implications for candidate countries

13. The new regulatory package Spectrum Decision (Art. 95) Liberalisation Directive (Art. 86) Framework Directive (Art. 95) Access & Interconnection Directive Universal Service and Users’ Rights Directive Data Protection Directive Authorisation Directive

14. Policy objectives Legal certainty Technological neutrality Minimum required regulation Harmonisation Framework Authorisations Access & Interconnection Unbundled local loop Universal service Data protection Simple market entry Clear obligations for dominant players More competition Cheaper & faster Internet access Consumer rights Privacy protection Flexibility

15. Other things on our minds The Commission’s recent report on enlargement which proposes ten countries at once The 7th Implementation report - unique to the EU telecomms sector

16. Agenda e-Europe New regulatory package Implications for candidate countries

17. eEurope+ Integrate the candidate countries through a common strategy and common priorities Based on eEurope but adapted:  establish the basic building blocks of the digital age  cheaper, faster, secure Internet  invest in people and skills  stimulate the use of the Internet Implementation is up to national governments

18. Implications for candidate countries - 1 CEECs are subject to the same economic pressures as the rest of the developed world CEECs have joined the WTO and have committed to opening their markets CEECs want to join the EU, which means adopting the acquis and aligning their economies with the EU’s internal market

19. Implications for candidate countries - 2 In Lisbon, the EU leaders recognised that our legislative processes can barely keep up At the Warsaw ministerial conference and in Gothenburg CEECs followed suit The pace must now increase Candidate countries have to show their readiness to join the EU - benchmarking

20. Implications for candidate countries - 3 Regular reports just published - closer monitoring will start soon Strengthen independent regulatory structures Progress made by the regulatory body since the last report has been good but important policy issues raised in the previous report have not been addressed

21. 18 October 2001 PL 1.53 ______ PL 0.85 ____ Interconnection prices - fixed to fixed local

22. 18 October 2001 CZ 3.10 ______ PL 2.04 ______ CZ 1.90______ PL 1.3_____ Interconnection prices - fixed to fixed single transit

23. Thank you for your attention europa.eu.int/eeurope