The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) welcomes today’s vote of the European Parliament at second reading on the Telecom Package, as it confirms Parliament’s earlier strong commitment to dynamic spectrum management and audiences’ access to broadcasters’ digital services.

Jean Réveillon, Director General, EBU said “Public broadcasters want to ensure the best possible access to their services for audiences. The EBU and its members will therefore contribute to an effective implementation of the important principles of the new Telecom Package.

Spectrum considered a public good   The EBU particularly favours the balanced approach in the field of radio spectrum policy. In addition to its economic value, spectrum is considered a public good. Appropriate spectrum management is important for cultural diversity and media pluralism.   The EBU supports Parliament’s endorsement of efficient spectrum management by Member States which is consistent with the existing international rules, such as the ITU regulations, and which respects audiovisual and media policies. The EBU will continue to closely monitor any future coordinated EU spectrum policy, as the text adopted by Parliament allows the European Commission to propose legislative multi-annual radio spectrum policy programmes.

Net neutrality

The EBU also endorses the principle of the neutrality of the Internet and gives its full support to the safeguards adopted by Parliament which will mean more transparent traffic management and better contractual information. Finally, the EBU welcomes the fact that Member States are authorised to impose “must carry” rules for broadcasting transmissions and all complementary services such as subtitling, radiotext, teletext, and programme information.

The EBU hopes that, in spite of the disagreement between the Parliament and the Council on one remaining issue, the decision making procedure will be finalised as soon as possible. For more information, e-mail to: spectrum@ebu.ch