Yesterday evening, the European Parliament's committee's votes on the "Telecom package" attracted broad attention, given the impact already at this stage of the legislative process.

First, the Internal Markets and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) voted on the Harbour report, dealing with the universal services directive. Compromises on issues - such as more transparent tariff information, better telecommunication access for disabled people, a more ordered length of contracts (with a maximum of 24 months), telephone number portability within one day - struck by the major political groups in the EP were adopted by a large majority.

Additionally, several amendments tabled by Cristian Silviu BUSOI (National Liberal Party, Romania), ALDE rapporteur on the report regarding the EU-wide accessibility to the single European emergency call number "112" have been approved. BUSOI commented after the vote: "This is a very concrete and useful benefit for EU citizens. We will be able, in every Member State, to call the emergency services free of charge by using 112. I am proud that the ALDE group succeeded in ensuring that this service would be available for all with all electronic communication services for calls"

This is a very concrete and useful benefit for EU citizens.   

Cristian Silviu BUSOI

Furthermore, the IMCO committee adopted the report on ePrivacy, drafted by Alexander ALVARO (FDP, Germany), which had been voted the week before by the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE), in the frame of an enhanced cooperation procedure.

At the same time, the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) voted on the other reports of the telecom package. ALVARO, who is also responsible for ALDE on the Market authority directive, summarized: "Many good compromises were achieved by the political groups that will ensure a good legislative framework for EU communications technologies and services, making broadband more accessible to citizens and fostering competition among providers that will benefit the consumer. We have tried to give the EU-regulatory authority BERT the mandate and facilities to effectively coordinate national and EU regulatory oversight. Given the extremely complicated and interdependent nature of the proposed legislation, we still have some work to do before the plenary vote to ensure coherence and consistency of the entire package. "

Regarding critics from civil liberties groups prior to the votes, ALVARO points out: "There will be no monitoring of websites regarding the uploading of pirated content or investigations without probable cause by internet providers. Furthermore, with respect to consumers' interests and privacy, security breaches have to be notified to users when their personal data is compromised."

After the committee votes, the reports will be voted in first reading at the plenary in September.