Cable Europe, the association of cable TV network operators in Europe, said it welcomes the Commission’s approach to continue the deregulation of the European broadband and communications markets, and to reduce the number of markets subject to regulatory scrutiny.
Manuel Cubero, President of Cable Europe, said in a statement: “The EU telecoms regulatory framework has been very successful to date, in particular in opening the market for new competitors all over Europe. Investors in new facilities-based infrastructures, such as advanced cable networks, have been stimulated to build credible alternatives to existing networks In order to thrive going forward, cable needs a continued focus by European and national regulators on infrastructure based competition.”
In a statement Cable Europe said it was very supportive of the European Commission’s decision, which is effective immediately, to limit the number of markets subject to mandatory regulatory scrutiny from 18 to 7. In particular, we welcome the Commission’s decision to remove the wholesale broadcasting transmission services market (market 18). This decision highlights the the fast growing competition among new and existing television distribution platforms.
“The proposal of the European Commission to allow Member States to implement functional separation of the activities of incumbent telecom operators as a measure of last resort needs further study. Before taking such a heavy regulatory measure we would expect a full impact assessment to be made.”
Cable Europe is not convinced a new telecom authority fis needed: “It seems contradictory for the Commission to deregulate an increasing part of the market, while at same time constructing a new and sizeable regulatory body.”
Radio spectrum that will becomes available following analogue switch off, the so-called “digital dividend” should be used in a fair and equitable way, not distorting competition, according to Cable Europe. The association supports the European Commission in its effort to increase the efficiency of spectrum management and welcomes the recognition of spectrum as a key building block towards new digital services and fixed-mobile converging services. It is important that regulators and the Commission ensure the licensing processes applied to all market players are competitive, transparent and fair, Cable Europe said.