Latest News
- PRESS RELEASE
- Telecoms: new measures to counter data roaming bill shocks from 1 July; lower roaming call price caps
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(28 June 2010)From 1 July 2010 consumers no longer need to worry about accidentally running up huge bills when they connect to the internet using mobile networks via a phone or computer when abroad in the EU. Thanks to the EU's roaming rules, from 1st July travellers' data-roaming limit will be automatically set at EUR 50 excluding VAT (unless they have chosen another limit - higher or lower). Operators will have to send users a warning when they reach 80% of their data-roaming bill limit. The operator will have to cut off the mobile internet connection once the limit has been reached, unless the customer has indicated they want to continue data roaming that particular month. In addition, maximum wholesale prices for data roaming will fall from EUR 1 to 80 cents per MegaByte. The maximum price for making a roaming call will be cut to 39 cents per minute (excluding VAT), instead of the current 43 cents, while receiving a call will cost a maximum of 15 cents per minute (excluding VAT), instead of 19 cents. The cost of making and receiving calls when abroad in the EU will now be 73% cheaper than in 2005, when the EU first started to tackle excessive roaming charges (IP/05/901).
See also: Frequently asked questions
- PRESS RELEASE
- Telecoms: Commission welcomes Polish compliance on subscribers' rights rules; closes infringement case against Poland
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(24 June 2010)The Commission has closed an infringement case against Poland concerning compliance with EU rules on telephone subscribers' rights in Poland. Poland has now complied with a January 2009 judgement of the EU's Court of Justice (see C-492/07) and aligned the definition of a subscriber of telecoms services in its national law with the requirements of the EU's Telecommunications Framework Directive (2002/21/EC). This means that all subscribers, including those who have not signed a contract (for example pre-paid SIM card users, who represent almost half of Polish mobile users), can now enjoy their full rights under EU telecoms rules (for example, an entry in public directories).
- PRESS RELEASE
- Audiovisual Media Services Directive: Commission requests 12 Member States to implement in full
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(24 June 2010)The European Commission has requested 12 Member States (Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, and Slovenia) to urgently update their national broadcasting rules in order to comply with their obligations under the Audiovisual Media Service (AVMS) Directive. The AVMS Directive updates EU rules on broadcasting to face the challenges of the digital age and creates rules on the use of services like TV over the internet, video on demand and mobile TV to ensure better legal protection for European TV viewers. Member States should have implemented the Directive by amending their national laws by the end of 2009. To date, the 12 Member States have either not implemented all the rules or have not yet officially informed the Commission that the rules are in place, as required. Therefore the Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to these Member States. If they fail to inform the Commission of measures to implement the Directive in full within two months, the Commission may refer them to the EU's Court of Justice.
- PRESS RELEASE
- Telecoms: Commission takes legal action against Germany and Poland over failure to consult on price-control rules
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(24 June 2010)The European Commission has decided to send a formal request to Germany to comply with its obligations under EU law to use the EU consultation mechanism when regulating mobile termination rates. These are the fees operators charge each other to connect a call between their networks and are included in each user's phone bill. Germany's telecoms regulator, the 'Bundesnetzagentur', did not consult the Commission or other national regulators, as required by EU law, on the level of its mobile termination rates. Without this consultation, there is a much higher risk that regulation of termination rates differs significantly among Member States, distorting competition in the Single Market for telecoms services. The Commission's request to Germany takes the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. On a similar issue, the Commission has decided to send a request for information to Poland concerning its telecoms regulator, Urzad Komunikacji Elektronicznej (UKE). The Commission is concerned that UKE may have circumvented the EU consultation mechanism and fixed the level of wholesale broadband access tariffs without prior consultation of stakeholders, the Commission or other national regulators. The information request takes the form of a letter of formal notice under EU infringement procedures.
- PRESS RELEASE
- Telecoms: Commission welcomes new Slovak rules on independence of telecoms regulator; ends legal action
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(24 June 2010)The European Commission has welcomed changes to Slovakia's law guaranteeing the independence of national telecoms regulator Telekomunikacny urad Slovenskej Republiky (TUSR), and closed the infringement proceeding against Slovakia on this issue opened in May 2009 (see IP/09/775). The Commission is satisfied that Slovakia's law now respects the requirement under EU law that the head of the national telecoms regulator can only be dismissed in very limited circumstances. This independence is essential to ensure that the regulator can make impartial assessments and decisions.
- PRESS RELEASE
- Public sector information: Commission refers Poland to Court for incorrect implementation of EU rules
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(24 June 2010)The European Commission has decided to refer Poland to the EU's Court of Justice over incorrect implementation of an EU Directive on the re-use of public sector information such as digital maps, meteorological, legal, traffic, financial, economic and other data. Such public sector information can be re-used in products and services like car navigation systems, weather forecasts and financial and insurance services, and is estimated to be worth at least EUR 27 billion every year (according to a 2006 study undertaken for the Commission). The EU public sector information Directive, adopted in 2003, requires Member States to ensure that such information is made available and that the public sector and those who could be interested in using this data are made aware of their rights and obligations. The Commission asked Poland to take the necessary steps to comply with the Directive in June 2009. In the absence of adequate compliance, the Commission has decided to refer Poland to Court.
- PRESS RELEASE
- Europeans are more interested in science than sport and want EU research boosted
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(21 June 2010)According to a new Eurobarometer report published today, nearly 80% of Europeans say they are interested in scientific discoveries and technological developments, compared to 65% interested in sport. Over 70% of Europeans think EU-funded research will become more important in the future. 57% think scientists should put more effort into communicating about their work and 66% believe governments should do more to interest young people in scientific issues. Europeans overwhelmingly recognise the benefits and importance of science but many also express fears over risks from new technologies and the power that knowledge gives to scientists.
See also: Special Eurobarometer on science and technology, June 2010
- EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- Summer School on Service and Software Architectures, Infrastructures and Engineering
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28 June 2010 - 2 July 2010 Hersonissos, Greece
This Summer School brings together international experts on software and services and graduate students, young researchers and professionals from academic, research and industrial organizations across Europe and around the world. In addition to training, the Summer School fosters the free exchange of ideas and helps the participants to network and start new cooperative research projects.
- CALL FOR TENDERS
- Study SMART 2010/0039 - Survey of Schools, ICT and Education
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(Deadline: 05/09/2010) The objectives of the study are to collect information on and assess the impact of ICT use in schools for the purpose of teaching/learning. To this end, (an) appropriate survey(s) will be designed and carried out in the 27 EU Member States and Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey and the results assessed and discussed in a study report, also containing an extensive set of data charts and tables. In addition, information on the situation in each country will be prepared in the form of a set of individual country profiles.
Contact: Survey of schools: ICT and education
See also: Published in the Official Journal of the European Union
Reminders
- EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT
- AAL Forum - Active Ageing: Smart Solutions, New Markets
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15 September 2010 - 17 September 2010 Odense, Denmark
The Ambient Assisted Living Forum (AAL Forum 2010) aims to provide a platform for all stakeholders - investors, researchers, policy makers, industry providers and end-users - to discuss smart solutions for improved quality of life in later years. Ambient Assisted Living Technology is a relatively new and vibrant field of investment, research and development. Policy makers are already exploring options and planning on future technology investments in this area. Several regional and national initiatives are emerging around Europe to support public and private investment. In support of this, the 2010 AAL Forum will now launch and host the first ever European 'AAL Investment Forum'. The objective of the one-day Investment Forum is to improve communication between investors and researchers and introduce investors to projects which require immediate and/or long term funding. The event will provide a matchmaking bazaar and tailored presentations for investors, software developers and other interested parties.
New in the Library
- SPEECH
- Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda
- The crucial need for a coordinated EU approach to radio spectrum
Annual European Spectrum Management Conference, Brussels, 23rd June 2010
- REPORTS AND STUDIES
- Educating Europe - Exploiting the benefits of ICT
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21 June 2010
This report looks at how information and communication technology (ICT) is playing a key role in the education and training of European citizens. ICT offers far more than a convenient way to deliver educational content. Today, researchers are demonstrating how ICT can actually enhance the learning process for all Europeans and make lifelong learning part of everyday activity.
- SPEECH
- Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda
- The need for accountability in Internet governance
ICANN's 38th International Meeting, Brussels, 21st June 2010
- REPORTS AND STUDIES
- A healthy approach - Technology for personalised, preventative healthcare
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9 June 2010
In this report, produced for the publication series "ICT Research: The Policy Perspective", we discover how ICT is revolutionising healthcare across Europe. Technology gives patients choice and control, while practitioners make more informed diagnoses and decisions. As research continues, citizens can expect to see their quality of life improve.
Registration for ICT 2010 is open!
Register now for early-bird fee!
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