Telecoms Package

Introduction
The Telecoms Package is a proposal from EU Commission to reform the EU’s regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services with a view to completing the internal market for electronic communications. This package includes:


 * a proposal for directive (COD/2007/0247) that amends 3 previous directives:
 * Access Directive (2002/19/EC)
 * Authorisation Directive (2002/20/EC)
 * Framework Directive (2002/21/EC)
 * a proposal for a directive (COD/2007/0248) that amends 2 previous directives:
 * Universal Service Directive (2002/22/EC)
 * Personal Data and Protection of Privacy Directive (ePrivacy) (2002/58/EC)
 * a proposal for a Regulation creating a new European Electronic Communications Market Authority (COD/2007/0249)

'The three-strikes approach'' should be out of the scope of these legislative proposals. Nevertheless some amendments have been introduced to include the three-strikes approach in the proposals for directives of the Telecoms Package. Therefore, La Quadrature du Net is alerting about dangers of such an inclusion.'''

Note that the proposal for a Regulation creating a new European Electronic Communications Market Authority (COD/2007/0249) does not include anything related to three-strikes approach, so it won't be discussed further here.

Timeline

 * 09/02/2009 Council of EU Common Position Directives 2002/21/EC, 2002/19/EC, 2002/20/EC - 2007/0247 (COD) and 2002/22/EC, 2002/58/EC and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 - 2007/0248 (COD)
 * 20/11/2008 French Presidency Compromise Proposal Agreed by COREPER Access Directive 2002/19/EC COD/2007/0247Authorisation Directive 2002/20/EC COD/2007/0247Framework Directive 2002/21/EC COD/2007/0247Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC COD/2007/0248
 * 20/11/2008 ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0248
 * 07/11/2008 European Commission amended propal
 * 24/09/2008 Vote in Plenary (COD/2007/0248)
 * 24/09/2008 Vote in Plenary (COD/2007/0247)
 * 02/09/2008 Speeches in Plenary
 * 07/07/2008 ITRE Adoption of draft report (COD/2007/0247 item 3)
 * 07/07/2008 IMCO Adoption of draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 3)
 * 26/06/2008 ITRE Consideration of amendments for draft report (COD/2007/0247 item 12)
 * 23/06/2008 IMCO Consideration of amendments for draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 19)
 * 28/05/2008 ITRE Adoption of draft opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 12)
 * 26/05/2008 IMCO Consideration of draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 23) and amenments for opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 24)
 * 24/06/2008 LIBE Adoption of draft opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 8) (Adopted: [69, 76, 77)
 * 16/06/2008 IMCO Adoption of draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 6)
 * 09/06/2008 LIBE Consideration of amendments for opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 4)
 * 03/06/2008 ECON Adoption of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 20, COD/2007/0248 item 21)
 * 02/06/2008 IMCO Adoption of draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 10)
 * 02/06/2008 CULT Adoption of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 12, COD/2007/0248 item 10)
 * 29/05/2008 JURI Adoption of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 29, COD/2007/0248 item 30)
 * 29/05/2008 LIBE Adoption of draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 19)
 * 28/05/2008 JURI Consideration of amendments for draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 5, COD/2007/0248 item 6)
 * 19/05/2008 ECON Consideration of amendments for draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 8, COD/2007/0248 item 9)
 * 06/05/2008 ITRE Consideration of amendments for draft opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 4) and draft report (COD/2007/0247 item 5)
 * 06/05/2008 IMCO Exchange of views with experts and considerations for draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 11) and draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 13)
 * 06/05/2008 ECON Consideration of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 14, COD/2007/0248 item 15)
 * 06/05/2008 CULT Consideration of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 11, COD/2007/0248 item 10)
 * 05/05/2008 LIBE Consideration of draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 8, COD/2997/0248 item 7)
 * 08/04/2008 JURI Exchange of views (COD/2007/0247 item 5) and consideration of draft opinions (COD/2007/0248 item 6)
 * 07/04/2008 ITRE Consideration of draft opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 4)
 * 27/03/2008 JURI Consideration of working document for draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 13)
 * 27/03/2008 LIBE First exchange of views for draft opinions (COD/2007/0247 item 25, COD/2997/0248 item 24)
 * 26/03/2008 IMCO Exchange of views for draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 22) and draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 23)
 * 06/03/2008 ITRE Exchange of views for draft report (COD/2007/0247 item 4) and draft opinion (COD/2007/0248 item 6)
 * 28/02/2008 IMCO Exchange of views for draft report (COD/2007/0248 item 22) and draft opinion (COD/2007/0247 item 23)
 * 27/02/2008 ITRE Public hearing on Telecom Package (item 5)

Analysis by La Quadrature

 * Telecoms Package 2nd Reading ITRE IMCO Amendments
 * How French Presidency Hides a Political Laundering Inside EU Telecoms Package
 * Proposed letter to ministers of EU Council
 * Reaction after vote in plenary
 * Analysis of plenary amendements
 * Voting list for plenary
 * Letter to MEPs before first reading vote
 * Analysis of some compromise amendments for vote in plenary
 * Who wants to jeopardize network neutrality? Alerting document before speeches in plenary
 * Analysis of IMCO final "compromise amendments"
 * Alerting document about Telecoms Package, before votes in ITRE & IMCO
 * Analysis of the Mavrommatis (PE 404.747) and Guardans (PE 404.775) reports (English
 * Analyse des rapports Mavrommatis (PE 404.747) et Guardans (PE 404.775) (français)

Campaigns by La Quadrature

 * Mobilisation for 2nd reading votes on ITRE and IMCO
 * Save amendment 138 and Internet Freedom from Council of EU
 * Mobilisation for 1st reading plenary vote
 * Main campaign page
 * Summer Postcards Action
 * Advices before votes on ITRE and IMCO (English, français, Deutsch)
 * Replies from MEPs
 * Compromise amendments for votes on ITRE and IMCO
 * Other amendments for votes on ITRE and IMCO

European Parliament
The Lawtracks facility enables a comparison of the different versions of the Telecoms Package texts.

COD/2007/0247

 * Procedure file on European Parliament website

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive), 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services (Access Directive), and 2002/20/EC on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (Authorisation Directive)

First Reading

 * Draft report (Amendments 1-85)
 * Amendments 86-202
 * Amendments 203-317
 * Amendments 318-459
 * Amendments 460-602
 * Amendments 603-716
 * Amendments 717-830


 * Final report

Committees for Opinion

 * Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), draftsman: Karsten Friedrich HOPPENSTEDT (PSE, Germany): Opinion
 * Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), draftsman: Marian ZLOTEA (EPP-ED, Romania): Opinion
 * Culture and Education (CULT), draftsman: Ignasi GUARDANS CAMBÓ (ALDE, Spain): Opinion
 * Legal Affairs (JURI), draftsman: Manuel MEDINA ORTEGA (PSE, Spain): Opinion
 * Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), draftsman: Syed KAMALL (EPP-ED, United Kingdom): Opinion

COD/2007/0248

 * Procedure file on European Parliament website

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks (Universal Service Directive), Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on Privacy and electronic communications) and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on consumer protection cooperation

====Responsible committee: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), Rapporteur: Malcolm HARBOUR (EPP-ED, United Kingdom)====

First Reading

 * Draft report (Amendments 1-60)
 * Amendments 61-292
 * Final report

Committees for Opinion

 * Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), draftswoman: Sophia in 't VELD (ALDE, Netherlands): Opinion
 * Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), draftsman: Reino PAASILINNA (PSE, Finland): Opinion
 * Culture and Education (CULT), draftsman: Manolis MAVROMMATIS (EPP-ED, Greece): Opinion
 * Legal Affairs (JURI), draftswoman: Lidia Joanna GERINGER de OEDENBERG (PSE, Poland): Opinion
 * Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), draftsman: Alexander ALVARO (ALDE, Germany): Opinion

Original versions (2002) of Directives Amended by Telecoms Package
The Lawtracks facility enables a comparison of the different versions of the Telecoms Package texts.


 * Access Directive 2002/19/EC
 * Authorisation Directive 2002/20/EC
 * Framework Directive 2002/21/EC
 * Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC
 * ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC

Commission Proposals
The Lawtracks facility enables a comparison of the different versions of the Telecoms Package texts.

Commission Amended Proposals (06/11/2008)

 * COD/2007/0247 amending 2002/19/EC (Authorization Directive), 2002/20/EC (Access Directive) and 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive)
 * COD/2007/0248 amending 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive) and 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive)

Commission Initial Proposals (13/11/2007)

 * COD/2007/0247 amending 2002/19/EC (Authorization Directive), 2002/20/EC (Access Directive) and 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive)
 * COD/2007/0248 amending 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive) and 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive)

Council of EU Common Position
The Lawtracks facility enables a comparison of the different versions of the Telecoms Package texts.


 * Directives 2002/21/EC, 2002/19/EC and 2002/20/EC - 2007/0247 (COD)
 * Directives 2002/22/EC, 2002/58/EC and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on consumer protection cooperation - 2007/0248 (COD)

French Presidency Compromise Proposal Agreed by COREPER (20/11/2008)

 * Access Directive 2002/19/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0247
 * Authorisation Directive 2002/20/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0247
 * Framework Directive 2002/21/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0247
 * Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0248
 * ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0248

French Presidency Proposal to Working Party (6,10,23/10/2008)

 * Framework Directive 2002/21/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0247
 * Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0248
 * Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC amended by proposal COD/2007/0248

Other Official EU Resources

 * European Commission's press release to present new legislative texts to pave the way for compromise between Parliament and Council
 * European Commission's press release to announce telecoms reform
 * Legislative proposals on DG "Information Society"
 * Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Report on the outcome of the Review of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services in accordance with Directive 2002/21/EC and Summary of the 2007 Reform Proposals - COM (2007) 696 final)
 * http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5563982 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Electronic Communications Market Authority - COM(2007)699 final - 2007/0249(COD) - ITRE, del Castillo
 * http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5625242 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe: A common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover - COM(2007)700 final - 2008/2099(INI) - ITRE
 * Commission Recommendation on relevant product and service markets within the electronic communications sector susceptible to ex ante regulation in accordance with directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (C(2007)5406/3; SEC(2007) 1483/2

Other Miscellaneous Resources

 * Monica Horten (PhD student in Westminster Univ.): A copyright enforcement package for Europe
 * The Open Rights Group: Council of Ministers move to delete vital safeguards from EU Telecoms Package
 * Comments from European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)
 * Analysis of some “telecom package” amendments by François Pellegrini
 * The “Telecoms Package” Should Focus on Optimising Networks and Service Provision, Not on Content, Opinion from BEUC, the European Consumers’ Organisation
 * Un article en Français par Laurence Cour, sur le site du CEJEM
 * Paquet télécom : les députés inquiets - 30-01-2008
 * Exemple de lettre à son député européen
 * European Broadcasting Union (EBU)'s page on Telecoms Package
 * Coordonnées des eurodéputés des commissions ITRE et IMCO anti-riposte graduée
 * Note about Telecoms Package by Monica Horten, PhD researcher in European communications policy at University of Westminster, Communications and Media Research Institute
 * Analysis of "graduated response" implemented the IMCO report on the Telecoms Package by Monica Horten, University of Westminster, Communications and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) - 21 July 2008

<!-- apparemment ce qui suit provient d'un site de l'UE mais on ne sait pas trop la source, je (gibus) laisse en commentaire Plenary debates on major legislative issues - State of play

Subject: 	Telecommunications package

This package is among the priority or strategic initiatives of the Commission Legislative and Working Programme for 2007

As a consequence of technological developments and increasing convergence of access and communication possibilities, a new telecommunications framework was introduced in 2002 and 2003. The core of the regulatory framework consists of five directives. The package presented by the Commission is the proposal for a statutory review of the previous one. The main objective of the legislative proposals is to enhance the ability of the current framework to deliver on its initial objectives by proposing adaptations that take account of experience to date and expected market and technological changes in the future. The creation of a competitive single market for electronic communications services and networks in Europe with corresponding benefits for citizens is the ultimate aim.


 * State of play in the Commission

Adoption by the Commission: 13 November 2007. Based on the renewed Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs and on the i2010 initiative, which aims at creating a Single European Information Space and at completing the single market for electronic communication services, the Commission has approved a Communication reviewing the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. The initiative follows up a public consultation, and proposes policy changes in three main areas: regulatory simplification in the interest of better regulation, the development of a single market in electronic communication by overcoming regulatory fragmentation between the Member States while strengthening and better coordinating national regulators, as well as improving consumer protection, users' rights including security and privacy, and the efficiency and accessibility of services. The Communication is accompanied by the relevant set of legislative proposals.


 * State of play in the Council

The Commission presented the package at the Transport, Telecommunication and Energy Council of 29, 30 November and 3 December. Delegations agreed with the objectives of the Commission's proposals. However several Member States expressed their doubts related in particular to the need for a creation of a new European Agency and to the extension of the Commission's competence in terms of regulatory conditions or frequency administration. A progress report is foreseen at the Transport, Telecommunication and Energy Council of 12 June 2008.


 * Forecast for the plenary debate

Leading Committees : ITRE and IMCO Taking into account the calendar at the responsible committees' level (vote on 16 June), the 1st readings could be foreseen at the July plenary part-session. A common position could possibly be adopted by the end of the year and the plenary vote in 2nd reading could be held during the first quarter of 2009. Sensitive package in the context of the end of the current legislature.

To achieve in time the 2nd reading, it is essential to carry out the first reading in July.

Thus the last date for the adoption in committee would be on Monday 16 June in Strasbourg, although this date would not respect the "cooling-off period".


 * Procedure

Legislative and non legislative Communication + Codecision procedure -->

See also a press release from Kathy Sinnot, Irish MEP