Parliament committee adopts report on development of 3G market
A report detailing the current challenges facing the full roll-out of third generation (3G) mobile communications was adopted by the European Parliament's Committee on industry and research on 23 January. Advanced wireless platforms such as 3G are an essential building block to achieve the goals of the information society in terms of consumer demand, productivity, competitiveness and job creation. Following the Seville European Council in June 2002, the European Commission adopted a communication, which detailed 'a comprehensive analysis of remaining barriers to the full roll-out of 3G mobile communications.' The report, drafted by French MEP Danielle Auroi, echoes the analysis made in the Commission's communication, that along with a general economic recovery, the mobile market is best served by letting the market drive the process ahead, and by allowing healthy competition to generate new products, which consumers will want to buy. However, with most Member States having already issued 3G licences, the report calls on the Commission to develop a stable regulatory environment for 3G infrastructure, applications and services in Europe. MEPs shared the Ms Auroi's worries over electromagnetic waves and the implications for the health of those living close to relay masts, in particular children and people in poor health. The report calls on the Commission, the Member States and the national authorities involved in managing telecommunications infrastructures to launch a process of consultation of the health professions, citizens' associations and operators in the sectors, so as to ensure that the choices regarding the roll-out of 3G are based on consensus and can both meet the need to protect health and respect the environment and ensure the promotion of economic development. The report stresses the importance of protecting children when they use the Internet, and calls on the Commission and on suppliers of 3G services to examine the possibilities of parental cryptography and service packages designed specifically for children. To ensure that disabled consumers have access to 3G network services and applications, the report focuses on the need to formulate universal technical standards for operators to provide disabled consumers with access to 3G services and applications. MEPs also reiterated the need to review the transparency of pricing, data protection and security of payments.