Malta, earlier this year, has together with other EU Member States proposed to the EU Commission to present concrete measures to establish the single market in information technology and telecommunications.
In a relatively short period of time the EU Commission managed to put forward a document entitled ‘Connected Continent’.
In this aspect, the government fully supports the characteristics of a single market portrayed by the Commission, where citizens and businesses are able to access services from any EU operator, without cross-border restrictions of justified additional costs, where service providers are able to competitively and efficiently offer services throughout the EU on a level playing field. I pointed out this matter recently during ‘an orientation debate’ for the Telecommunications Sector in the Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels, where proposed regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council are laying down measures concerning the European Single Market for Electronic Communications and to achieve a ‘Connected Continent’.
It is to note and appreciate that the existing regulatory framework within member states and supported by the EU has served its objectives, that is, in establishing a strong and healthy telecoms market where the end objective is better quality and less costly services to the end-consumer. Malta and the majority of the Member States’ concern related to the ‘Connected Continent’ package is that, it is conductive to market consolidation rather than the promotion of efficient and effective competition leading to an integrated EU single telecommunications market. This is more the case in small markets such as that of Malta and Ireland where an oligopolistic market at an EU level will definitely be detrimental to our local market and will result immediately in the loss of jobs.
My main objective, as the political person responsible for the telecoms market, is to enable operators to compete on the same wavelength, at both domestic and EU levels. This will result in value services for our citizens and for job creation.
In seeking to achieve the goal of a digital single market, the Commission wants to stimulate the provisions of cross-border European services by introducing new concepts. Some of the concepts mentioned by the Commission are, that a single European authorisation will commence operating in the European market, implementing the idea of Europe-wide coordinated spectrum assignments, keeping a standard EU wholesale broadband, and removing tariffs for incoming roaming calls and decreasing outgoing roaming tariffs at domestic levels.
Furthermore, the Regulation also looks at bringing up to date some of the principles of the current framework, by introducing a formalised role for the Commission with regard to the institution of spectrum licence conditions and enhancing the provisions related to the protection of consumers in terms of contracts and transparency requirements
The development on Cloud Computing and Big data, which are the new revolutionary digital technology trends, will continue creating new opportunities at all levels. The EU Commission is giving these two sectors specific importance. Malta has to be a leader in the development of these two niches in order to be the first to reap the best opportunities.
On a national level, governments have important roles at encouraging the adoption of cloud computing and facilitating the use by public entities, academia and the business sector. However, it is essential that on a European Union level the system would be more coordinated and with the support of the ‘European Cloud Partnership’. This would have more of a proactive approach.
As for ‘Big Data’, be it mechanical, transactional or social data, which is the exponential growth and availability of data, Malta believes that it will be the basis for competition, underpinning new waves of productivity growth and innovation. Therefore, the EU needs to create a framework that encourages free flow and analysis of data, and creates an environment that addresses privacy, security, intellectual property rights and liability issues. This strategic asset will create new business models, revenue streams and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Concerns are expressed by the Member States even though they are generally supportive of the aim to improve competition, in stimulating investment, achieving a high level of consumer protection, reducing roaming charges and addressing net neutrality.
Malta will be welcoming the proposed legislative instrument as a Directive in the future, aimed at reducing the cost and enhancing the efficiency of deploying high-speed networks. This would be sufficient to reach the Commission’s objective and provisions which would mainly focus on the measures at a local level. My ultimate objective in this sector will always be that of guaranteeing the best product and service at the lowest price possible when compared with other countries around the globe. It is only in this manner, will the telecoms markets be relevant to our citizens and make an effective difference in their everyday life.
Edward Zammit Lewis is Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth