§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Telecommunications Council held on 8 March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [161443]
73W
§ Mr. TimmsI attended the Telecoms Council held on 8 March 2004 in Brussels. There was a round-table debate on the state of the telecoms sector, in particular on two areas for action by governments; the transposition of the new regulatory framework and implementing national broadband strategies. There was broad consensus that the sector was recovering, that compelling content would be key in driving take-up of broadband and that e-Government was important as driver and exemplar in services. The rollout of broadband in under served areas was also discussed, including the importance of applying structural funding in a technology-neutral, market-led and competition-based way.
I pointed out that in the face of increasingly stiffer international competition it was vital for the EU to make the most of its competitive edge from creating the largest single coherent telecoms market by implementing the new regulatory package in a timely, consistent and effective way. I emphasised the need for a vision and specific planning beyond 2005 to meet the Lisbon goal by 2010 of Europe becoming the world's knowledge-based leader. To achieve this, I stressed the importance of intensifying dialogue with industry across the whole value chain. The Presidency will submit the Conclusions of this Council discussion to the Spring European Council on 25–26 March.
The Presidency will also submit to the Spring European Council the Council Conclusions on the following items, which were agreed without substantial debate; the e-Europe 2005 Mid-Term, unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes, or "spam" and on the following-up to the World Summit on the Information Society.