16 European Community Members slow to implement New Telecommunication rules

Yesterday the European Commission has urged 16 member states to fully implement the new EU telecoms rules into national law.

Partial implementation of the EU telecoms rules, adopted last May, limit consumers’ rights in these member states. The new rules give EU customers new rights regarding fixed telephony, mobile services and Internet access.

Under the new rules consumers have the right to switch telecoms operators in one day without changing their phone number and the right to clarity about data traffic management practices employed by ISPs. They enjoy better protection of privacy and personal data online as well.

The Commission’s requests take the form of “reasoned opinions.” Member states that do not fully implement the new laws risk referral to the European Court of Justice and potential financial penalties.

The 16 Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

While legislative processes are ongoing in all EU member states and a majority of them have informed the commission of some implementation measures, only 7 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the UK) met the 25 May 2011 deadline for full implementation.

Therefore, in July 2011, The EC wrote to 20 member states requesting further information on implementation. Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the Slovak Republic have since notified full implementation to the Commission
(Source: INTUG)