ETNO calls for more ambition to deliver gigabit society

POLICY

ETNO (European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association) recently applauded the European Parliament Industry Committee vote on the 470-790 MHz frequency band to boost 5G. However, the association would like to see the digital society arrive faster …

Lise Fuhr

ETNO DIRECTOR GENERAL

According to ETNO, the Association representing Europe’s leading providers of digital communications and services, competitiveness, job creation and growth are strongly linked to innovation in fields such as 5G, connected and automated vehicles and Internet of Things. “To realize current Digital Agenda targets and the new Gigabit Society objectives, Europe needs to accelerate its efforts and put in place more investment-friendly and pro-innovation policies,” explains Lise Fuhr, ETNO Director General.

 

Unsurprisingly, ETNO and its members fully embrace the European Commission’s broad and ambitious vision for the EU Digital Single Market and its electronic communications sector. This vision strives to create a European Gigabit Society and make EU a global leader in the development of 5G. This is expected to create a new wave of smart jobs, fresh opportunities for all citizens and innovation-driven growth.

 

 

No 5G without broadband

 

“Europe needs to ensure enough spectrum is allocated to mobile broadband in order to cope with future data traffic needs. The European Commission’s ambitious vision for 5G and the Gigabit Society can only be achieved through a substantial upgrade of Europe’s broadband networks. Efficient and effective spectrum management is a necessary step in making higher bandwidth available everywhere. ETNO welcomes the European Commission decision to allocate the 694-790 MHz (‘700 MHz’) frequency to mobile broadband by 2020, ensuring the provision of broadband services in rural areas. The recent European Parliament vote on this represents an important step on the road towards 5G.

 

In ETNO’s opinion, Member States should retain flexibility over 700 MHz coverage obligations and licensing conditions attached to ensure free competition and stimulate investment. Member States should also be able to allocate the 700 MHz band to mobile broadband in a technology-neutral manner.

 

“The gigabit society is a vision for universal access and fair participation into Europe’s digital future. The investment effort of ETNO’s companies can turn that vision into reality. The new European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) proposed by the European Commission needs to incentivise a technology-inclusive approach supported by diverse investment models”.

 

The report ‘Building the gigabit society: an inclusive path toward its realisation', prepared by BCG (Boston Consulting Group) for ETNO shows 5G and mix of fixed technologies will meet EU’s connectivity ambitions and boost digital opportunities. This effort is expected to be funded mainly by private investment, even though at the current pace this would take up to 30 years. The report warns that “those who have the lowest speeds today should not be the ones who benefit from the gigabit society the last”. However, with the technology-inclusive approach proposed by BCG, the objective can be achieved by 2025.

 

‘EDEC Fiber Optique’

On March 16, the state of France and equipment manufacturers, installers and operators representing Plan France Très Haut Débit, the national high-speed broadband deployment plan, signed a framework agreement on employment and skills development for the deployment of optical fiber. This ‘EDEC’ (Engagement de Développement de l’Emploi et des Competences) was signed in the presence of Myriam El Khomri, Minister of Labor, Employment, Vocational Training and Social Dialogue. The agreement will cover 7,500 companies employing 656,000 employees in the THD deployment chain. Overall value is € 2,667,600. The State is contributing € 800,000, the professional sector will also be funding the scheme. The ‘EDEC Fiber Optique’ is part of the government’s social policy, supporting companies in the digital transformation of jobs, occupations and professional skills.

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© Copyright Prysmian Group.

All rights reserved.