Malta is one of the seven European Union member states that have been reprimanded by the European Commission for failing to ensure a comprehensive directory service. On the other hand, the Commission dropped its case it had filed against Malta with regard to the incorrect application of a regulation and the lack of a reference unbundling offer (RUO) – enabling alternative providers to use access lines to offer services to customers. Following the publication of the RUO by Malta’s operator, the case was dropped. Malta was the last member state to implement this regulation.
In another round of infringement proceedings concerning the EU’s telecom rules and regulations, the European Commission decided to take Sweden and Poland to the European Court of Justice for failing to implement EU rules on electronic communications.
During the last round of proceedings, the Commission instituted 12 cases against the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Finland and the United Kingdom. The Czech Republic and Poland received two each. Yesterday, the Commission sent these countries its “reasoned opinions,” which is the second step in the infringement procedure.
These countries now have two months to respond to these infringement proceedings. Just like the other countries, Malta could face action before the European Court of Justice if it fails to comply with the European Union’s telecom rules and regulations.
In a technical briefing in Brussels yesterday, it was said that Malta did not have a comprehensive directory. It was further argued that the existing on-line directory contains subscribers of only fixed line telephony operators, but did not contain mobile subscribers.
Yesterday, the European Commission sent letters of formal notice – which is the first step in the infringement proceedings – to the UK, Portugal and Cyprus for failing to ensure a comprehensive directory service; to Lithuania for lack of number portability and to the Czech Republic for insufficient protection of users against spam.
The Commission has, at the same time, closed nine infringement procedures following corrective measures, including amendments to legislation, in the respective member states.
Malta’s case was closed following the publication of a reference unbundling offer. Other cases against France, Spain, Poland and Lithuania were also closed.
(Matthew Xuereb is in Brussels on a two-week stage organised by the Malta-EU Information Centre)