ESC supports Commission's local loop proposal
The European Economic and Social Committee (ESC) is supporting the European Commission's proposal of unrestrained access to the local loop. The local loop is the physical circuit connecting the customers' home or premises to the local distribution frame. This proposal will allow new telecommunications operators the chance to provide all subscribers to fixed lines with connections that will allow access to the internet. Local loops have become a central issue in the relationship between incumbent operators and new entrants seeking access to the 'last mile' in the network in order to be able to offer their new services to customers. The ESC endorses the obligation placed on notified operators to meet requests for full or shared access to the local loop. The concept of shared access means that the incumbent operator retains use of the voice telephony frequency spectrum, while making only non-voice frequencies available to new entrants. The Committee has expressed agreement with the Commission's proposal that notified operators should be obliged to publish a reference offer for access to the local loop. However, it also emphasises that the pricing arrangements for making the local loop available must ensure a reasonable return for the providing operators for the full or partial use of their networks. The draft regulation is set to be adopted by the Telecommunications Council on 4 December.