Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has warned that the European Commission’s proposed Digital Networks act could weaken consumer safeguards and lead to less choice, poorer services and higher prices for mobile and internet users.
Agius Saliba, who is the Socialist and Democrats Group negotiator on the proposal within the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, has tabled 342 amendments aimed at substantially changing the direction of the proposed law.
According to a statement issued by his communications office, the Commission’s proposal would introduce new rules for the European telecommunications market while reducing the powers of independent national authorities that oversee the sector and protect competition.
Agius Saliba said his amendments seek to strengthen these authorities so that telecom markets remain fair, open and competitive.
He warned that if regulators are restricted, telecommunications companies could have greater room to engage in anti-competitive practices, with consequences for consumer protection, service quality and the prices paid by citizens for mobile and internet services.
“Many of the complaints I receive from Maltese citizens concern the way they are treated by telecommunications providers,” Agius Saliba said. He added that telecom companies often try to “bend the rules” while the service provided does not always meet the expected standard.
He said Malta currently benefits from having three competing operators, alongside European legislation and national authorities that safeguard consumers’ rights. However, he argued that the Commission’s proposal would weaken those safeguards.
The amendments also seek to strengthen consumer protection and extend it to small businesses. They include measures aimed at reinforcing the rights of persons with disabilities in the telecommunications sector and giving greater importance to emergency telephone services within EU legislation.
Agius Saliba said the main difference between his approach and that of the Commission lies in the future shape of the European telecoms market. While he said the Commission appears to favour a market dominated by a small number of large European operators, he insisted that national markets should remain based on effective competition between several providers.
He also opposed giving the European Commission a veto over merger decisions, warning that this could lead to greater market concentration.
“In Malta, this could result in greater market concentration, more power for telecom companies, less choice for consumers, poorer services and higher prices,” he said.
Agius Saliba said he believes in a competitive and properly regulated telecommunications market.