Telecommunications Council of 27 September 1996
The Council of EU Ministers responsible for Telecommunications met in Brussels on 27 September 1996. The agenda included a number of issues, particularly relating to the planned liberalization of telecommunications markets on 1 January 1998. The Council reached political agreement on two common positions: on the proposed Directive on a common framework for general authorizations and licences in telecommunications; and on the proposed Decision on satellite personal communications. These common positions will be formally adopted following the finalization of all language versions of the texts, and then transmitted to the Parliament for second readings. Mr. Martin Bangemann, European Commissioner responsible for telecommunications, presented the Ministers with the Commission's proposal for an updated Directive on open network provision (ONP) in voice telephony. This proposal would amend the existing Directive (No 95/62/EC) and adapt it to the needs of the open telecommunications market. In particular it would ensure a basic universal telecommunications service available to all. Ministers welcomed the proposal, although certain delegations noted the need to avoid erecting extra barriers to new entrants. The Council also held a discussion, at the initiative of the Belgian delegation, on the question of preventing the dissemination, on the Internet and other networks, of illegal material, particularly material linked to the exploitation of children. Ministers agreed to extend the working party on Internet regulation, established by the informal Council held in Bologna in April 1996, with a view to presenting proposals and possible measures in time for the next Telecommunications Council on 28 November 1996.