Telecoms Package 3rd Reading

The Telecoms Package went to a Third Reading in the European Parliament in the autumn of 2009.

The core issue related to the controversial Amendment 138, which was carried by the European Parliament, in the Second Reading vote on 6 May 2009.

Amendment 138 sought to protect the rights of Internet users in situations where governments or private operators might introduce measures which restrict their access to applications and services. Other parts of the Package, notably the Universal Services and Users Rights directive, contain provisions that were added as part of the "compromise" process, which will permit broadband operators to restrict users access to services and applications on the Internet. It also contains a provision which permits governments to order such restrictions.

This section of iptegrity.com monitored developments in the Third Reading of the Telecoms Package.

The text of the Parliament' Second Reading is available in all EU languages at the following URLs:

Framework, authorisation and access directives (Trautmann report )

Universal services and users rights directive (Harbour report)

Opening the Package "too risky" for EU

Monica Horten

Published on 28 September 2009

Is it a stitch-up or just following rules? Either way, the European Parliament tonight bulldozed through a decision on the team which will represent it in the Third Reading negotiations with the Council. And they have a mandate to ‘focus’ the discussion on Amendment 138 only. Which means that they do not want a debate on the Internet restrictions that are elsewhere in the Package.

The outcome of the Telecoms Package will determine the kind of Internet that we will have in Europe. At a non-public meeting tonight, those in charge of process in the European Parliament have attempted to keep a tight hand of control on the process. It can be anticipated that they plan to give in to the Council on Amendment 138.

Tonights meeting was the first 'constituent' meeting of the Conciliation committee for the Telecoms Package. Chaired by a vice-president, Alejo Vidal Quadras, who has had no

Should MEPs open up the Package?

Monica Horten

Published on 27 September 2009

Without Amendment 138, the Telecoms Package permits restrictions on Internet access and it allows graduated response/3-strikes measures. How should the European Parliament handle its negotiations with the Council?

***28 September - The Green Group/Pirate Party have called on the Council to provide an explanation of why it opposes Amendment 138. Details below.***

The European Parliament meets tomorrow to vote for the team who will negotiate with the Council, and give it a mandate. A key question is what should be the scope of the discussions. Should they open it up beyond Amendment 138?

Amendment 138 codifies principles which

Telecoms Package - what's the deal?

Monica Horten

Published on 24 September 2009

Conciliation committee members have one week to prepare for their first meeting. Is this a set-up? What was the deal with the Council?

The Telecoms Package is moving forward to a Third Reading, known as "Conciliation", on the basis of an unofficial communication from the Swedish Presidency*. Apparently, the Swedes have told the European Parliament that they cannot accept "certain amendments in the Trautmann report".

However, there is no

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Iptegrity.com is the website of Dr Monica Horten, independent policy writer and Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics & Political Science. She was shortlisted for The Guardian Open Internet Poll 2012. Iptegrity offers expert insights into Internet policy. Iptegrity is read by lawyers, academics, policy-makers and citizens, and cited in the media. Please acknowledge Iptegrity when you cite or link. For more, see IP politics with integrity