BETA


2010/2274(INI) Universal service and '112' emergency number

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead IMCO RAPTI Sylvana (icon: S&D S&D) THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża (icon: PPE PPE), PARVANOVA Antonyia (icon: ALDE ALDE), CANFIN Pascal (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), RÜHLE Heide (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), HARBOUR Malcolm (icon: ECR ECR), SALVINI Matteo (icon: EFD EFD)
Committee Opinion ENVI FERNANDES José Manuel (icon: PPE PPE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2011/11/15
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2011/07/05
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2011/07/05
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on universal service and the 112 emergency number.

Universal service : Members underline the importance of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) as a safety net for social inclusiveness where market forces alone have failed to provide citizens and businesses with basic services. They call on the Commission to provide guidelines on how best to implement and enforce Directive 2002/22/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC (Universal Service Directive or USD), avoiding market distortions and, at the same time, allowing Member States to adopt the provisions that best suit their national circumstances. Parliament states its support for the Digital Agenda’s ‘Broadband for all’ and calls on the Commission to give more financial support to local projects which provide digital access and to all communities which help disadvantaged groups to access technological devices by providing connections in public buildings offering free Internet access. However, making broadband availability obligatory will not automatically result in higher take-up. Parliament calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to reinforce measures to drive demand and stimulate take-up, rather than just ensuring a connection. It also calls on the Commission to:

complete the ongoing impact assessment and provide legislators with sound data on the existing take-up, the expected demand for and improvement of USOs through broadband, and an analysis of the most effective financing mechanism for Member States, consumers and undertakings for rolling out USOs while avoiding inefficient costs and excessive burdens; in parallel and in collaboration with the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), to monitor markets carefully to ensure that those Member States which are already able to, or wish to, provide USOs across the range of broadband technologies and speeds, are able to do so in cases of market failure without actually causing distortions in the market; examine the options for an even application of USOs and users’ rights provisions which would assure accessibility for vulnerable groups, and especially for people with disabilities, not only through the introduction of special terminal equipment and affordable tariffs, but also through the availability of adequate information and a real choice for consumers of available services and after-sales services.

Parliament considers nevertheless that the basic provision for funding universal service, ensuring it is handled in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, should remain in EU legislation and should be extended to cover data as well as voice obligations.

The 112 European Emergency Number : Members stress that the European 112 emergency number can be a life saving number and increases EU citizens’ protection by serving as a major support system for citizens and consumers living within the Single Market. They underline the importance of ensuring the smooth operation of the 112 number throughout the Union, and regret that the European 112 emergency number is far from having reached its full potential: according to the Eurobarometer survey published in February 2011, only 26% of EU citizens can spontaneously identify 112 as the number to call for emergency services in the EU and 58% of EU citizens still disagree with the statement that people in their country are adequately informed about the existence of the 112 emergency number. Members urge the Commission and Member States to intensify their efforts to increase public awareness of the existence and use of the 112 number, namely through the development of a targeted and far-reaching communication strategy which addresses the preoccupations and queries that citizens have with regard to the mechanics of the system, and they make a number of suggestions in this regard.

Parliament regrets that Member States do not yet ensure that timely, accurate and reliable location information is provided to the 112 services. It calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with Member States, to improve significantly the accuracy and reliability of caller location information under the new EU telecoms rules and to upgrade technology with the ultimate goal of mandatory automatic localisation for all 112 calls, including those from roaming customers, within a few seconds in order to provide dispatchers and first responders with this crucial information. The Commission is asked to envisage taking action against Member States that do not fulfil their obligations in this respect. Members ask for the ICT-PSP funds indicated in the EU Budget 2009, 2010 and 2011 to be allocated to support the testing and implementation of innovative services (based on VoIP and IP-access to 112) that could be initiated through network-independent applications in anticipation of the establishment of a Next Generation 112 system in the EU.

Parliament goes on to recommend the establishment of an action programme to support experience sharing and exchange of best practices between the NRAs, Parliament emergency services and civil society organisations in the Member States, extending this exchange to organisations in EU candidate and neighbouring countries. It suggests that, to this end, a network of experts could be set up.

Lastly, Members call on the Member States and the Commission to promote the establishment of a ‘reverse 112 system’ , i.e. an EU-wide, universal, multilingual, accessible, simplified and efficient interconnected system for warning and alerting citizens in case of imminent or developing natural and/or man-made major emergencies and disasters of any type.

Documents
2011/07/05
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2011/07/04
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2011/06/01
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Documents
2011/06/01
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Documents
2011/05/25
   EP - Vote in committee
Details

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted the own-initiative report by Sylvana RAPTI (S&D, EL) on universal service and the 112 emergency number.

Universal service : Members underline the importance of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) as a safety net for social inclusiveness where market forces alone have failed to provide citizens and businesses with basic services. They call on the Commission to provide guidelines on how best to implement and enforce Directive 2002/22/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC (Universal Service Directive or USD), avoiding market distortions and, at the same time, allowing Member States to adopt the provisions that best suit their national circumstances. The committee states its support for the Digital Agenda’s ‘Broadband for all’ and calls on the Commission to give more financial support to local projects which provide digital access and to all communities which help disadvantaged groups to access technological devices by providing connections in public buildings offering free Internet access. However, making broadband availability obligatory will not automatically result in higher take-up. The committee calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to reinforce measures to drive demand and stimulate take-up, rather than just ensuring a connection. It also calls on the Commission to:

complete the ongoing impact assessment and provide legislators with sound data on the existing take-up, the expected demand for and improvement of USOs through broadband, and an analysis of the most effective financing mechanism for Member States, consumers and undertakings for rolling out USOs while avoiding inefficient costs and excessive burdens; in parallel and in collaboration with the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), to monitor markets carefully to ensure that those Member States which are already able to, or wish to, provide USOs across the range of broadband technologies and speeds, are able to do so in cases of market failure without actually causing distortions in the market; examine the options for an even application of USOs and users’ rights provisions which would assure accessibility for vulnerable groups, and especially for people with disabilities, not only through the introduction of special terminal equipment and affordable tariffs, but also through the availability of adequate information and a real choice for consumers of available services and after-sales services.

The committee considers nevertheless that the basic provision for funding universal service, ensuring it is handled in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, should remain in EU legislation and should be extended to cover data as well as voice obligations.

The 112 European Emergency Number : Members stress that the European 112 emergency number can be a life saving number and increases EU citizens’ protection by serving as a major support system for citizens and consumers living within the Single Market. They underline the importance of ensuring the smooth operation of the 112 number throughout the Union, and regret that the European 112 emergency number is far from having reached its full potential: according to the Eurobarometer survey published in February 2011, only 26% of EU citizens can spontaneously identify 112 as the number to call for emergency services in the EU and 58% of EU citizens still disagree with the statement that people in their country are adequately informed about the existence of the 112 emergency number. Members urge the Commission and Member States to intensify their efforts to increase public awareness of the existence and use of the 112 number, namely through the development of a targeted and far-reaching communication strategy which addresses the preoccupations and queries that citizens have with regard to the mechanics of the system, and they make a number of suggestions in this regard.

The report regrets that Member States do not yet ensure that timely, accurate and reliable location information is provided to the 112 services. It calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, to improve significantly the accuracy and reliability of caller location information under the new EU telecoms rules and to upgrade technology with the ultimate goal of mandatory automatic localisation for all 112 calls, including those from roaming customers, within a few seconds in order to provide dispatchers and first responders with this crucial information. The Commission is asked to envisage taking action against Member States that do not fulfil their obligations in this respect. Members ask for the ICT-PSP funds indicated in the EU Budget 2009, 2010 and 2011 to be allocated to support the testing and implementation of innovative services (based on VoIP and IP-access to 112) that could be initiated through network-independent applications in anticipation of the establishment of a Next Generation 112 system in the EU.

The committee goes on to recommend the establishment of an action programme to support experience sharing and exchange of best practices between the NRAs, emergency services and civil society organisations in the Member States, extending this exchange to organisations in EU candidate and neighbouring countries. It suggests that, to this end, a network of experts could be set up.

Lastly, Members call on the Member States and the Commission to promote the establishment of a ‘reverse 112 system’ , i.e. an EU-wide, universal, multilingual, accessible, simplified and efficient interconnected system for warning and alerting citizens in case of imminent or developing natural and/or man-made major emergencies and disasters of any type.

2011/05/24
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2011/04/20
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2011/03/25
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2010/12/15
   EP - FERNANDES José Manuel (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in ENVI
2010/11/25
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2010/11/25
   EP - Referral to associated committees announced in Parliament
2010/09/27
   EP - RAPTI Sylvana (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in IMCO

Documents

AmendmentsDossier
111 2010/2274(INI)
2011/04/20 ENVI 111 amendments...
source: PE-464.678

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

committees/0/associated
Old
True
New
 
events/4/docs
  • url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-7-2011-07-04-TOC_EN.html title: Debate in Parliament
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE458.562
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/IMCO-PR-458562_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE462.898
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/IMCO-AM-462898_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE458.854&secondRef=02
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/ENVI-AD-458854_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html
events/0/type
Old
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
New
Committee referral announced in Parliament
events/2/type
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
New
Vote in committee
events/3
date
2011-06-01T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html title: A7-0220/2011
events/3
date
2011-06-01T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html title: A7-0220/2011
events/4/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20110704&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
events/6
date
2011-07-05T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2011-0306_EN.html title: T7-0306/2011
summary
events/6
date
2011-07-05T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2011-0306_EN.html title: T7-0306/2011
summary
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 150
procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 54
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 052
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
rapporteur
name: RAPTI Sylvana date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats abbr: S&D
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
date
2010-09-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: RAPTI Sylvana group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats abbr: S&D
shadows
committees/1
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
rapporteur
name: FERNANDES José Manuel date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
committees/1
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2010-12-15T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: FERNANDES José Manuel group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
docs/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html
docs/4/body
EC
events/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2011-0220_EN.html
events/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2011-306
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2011-0306_EN.html
activities
  • date: 2010-11-25T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża Gräfin von group: ALDE name: PARVANOVA Antonyia group: Verts/ALE name: CANFIN Pascal group: Verts/ALE name: RÜHLE Heide group: ECR name: HARBOUR Malcolm group: EFD name: SALVINI Matteo responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana
  • date: 2011-05-25T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża Gräfin von group: ALDE name: PARVANOVA Antonyia group: Verts/ALE name: CANFIN Pascal group: Verts/ALE name: RÜHLE Heide group: ECR name: HARBOUR Malcolm group: EFD name: SALVINI Matteo responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2011-06-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A7-0220/2011 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2011-07-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20110704&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2011-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=20198&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2011-306 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0306/2011 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union commissioner: KROES Neelie
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection
committee
IMCO
date
2010-09-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: RAPTI Sylvana group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats abbr: S&D
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
responsible
False
committee
ENVI
date
2010-12-15T00:00:00
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee)
rapporteur
group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel
committees/1
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
True
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2010-12-15T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: FERNANDES José Manuel group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
committees/1
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
IMCO
date
2010-09-27T00:00:00
committee_full
Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee)
rapporteur
group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana
docs
  • date: 2011-03-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE458.562 title: PE458.562 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2011-04-20T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE462.898 title: PE462.898 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2011-05-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE458.854&secondRef=02 title: PE458.854 committee: ENVI type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2011-06-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN title: A7-0220/2011 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP
  • date: 2011-11-15T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=20198&j=0&l=en title: SP(2011)8297 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2010-11-25T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2010-11-25T00:00:00 type: Referral to associated committees announced in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2011-05-25T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP summary: The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted the own-initiative report by Sylvana RAPTI (S&D, EL) on universal service and the 112 emergency number. Universal service : Members underline the importance of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) as a safety net for social inclusiveness where market forces alone have failed to provide citizens and businesses with basic services. They call on the Commission to provide guidelines on how best to implement and enforce Directive 2002/22/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC (Universal Service Directive or USD), avoiding market distortions and, at the same time, allowing Member States to adopt the provisions that best suit their national circumstances. The committee states its support for the Digital Agenda’s ‘Broadband for all’ and calls on the Commission to give more financial support to local projects which provide digital access and to all communities which help disadvantaged groups to access technological devices by providing connections in public buildings offering free Internet access. However, making broadband availability obligatory will not automatically result in higher take-up. The committee calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to reinforce measures to drive demand and stimulate take-up, rather than just ensuring a connection. It also calls on the Commission to: complete the ongoing impact assessment and provide legislators with sound data on the existing take-up, the expected demand for and improvement of USOs through broadband, and an analysis of the most effective financing mechanism for Member States, consumers and undertakings for rolling out USOs while avoiding inefficient costs and excessive burdens; in parallel and in collaboration with the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), to monitor markets carefully to ensure that those Member States which are already able to, or wish to, provide USOs across the range of broadband technologies and speeds, are able to do so in cases of market failure without actually causing distortions in the market; examine the options for an even application of USOs and users’ rights provisions which would assure accessibility for vulnerable groups, and especially for people with disabilities, not only through the introduction of special terminal equipment and affordable tariffs, but also through the availability of adequate information and a real choice for consumers of available services and after-sales services. The committee considers nevertheless that the basic provision for funding universal service, ensuring it is handled in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, should remain in EU legislation and should be extended to cover data as well as voice obligations. The 112 European Emergency Number : Members stress that the European 112 emergency number can be a life saving number and increases EU citizens’ protection by serving as a major support system for citizens and consumers living within the Single Market. They underline the importance of ensuring the smooth operation of the 112 number throughout the Union, and regret that the European 112 emergency number is far from having reached its full potential: according to the Eurobarometer survey published in February 2011, only 26% of EU citizens can spontaneously identify 112 as the number to call for emergency services in the EU and 58% of EU citizens still disagree with the statement that people in their country are adequately informed about the existence of the 112 emergency number. Members urge the Commission and Member States to intensify their efforts to increase public awareness of the existence and use of the 112 number, namely through the development of a targeted and far-reaching communication strategy which addresses the preoccupations and queries that citizens have with regard to the mechanics of the system, and they make a number of suggestions in this regard. The report regrets that Member States do not yet ensure that timely, accurate and reliable location information is provided to the 112 services. It calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, to improve significantly the accuracy and reliability of caller location information under the new EU telecoms rules and to upgrade technology with the ultimate goal of mandatory automatic localisation for all 112 calls, including those from roaming customers, within a few seconds in order to provide dispatchers and first responders with this crucial information. The Commission is asked to envisage taking action against Member States that do not fulfil their obligations in this respect. Members ask for the ICT-PSP funds indicated in the EU Budget 2009, 2010 and 2011 to be allocated to support the testing and implementation of innovative services (based on VoIP and IP-access to 112) that could be initiated through network-independent applications in anticipation of the establishment of a Next Generation 112 system in the EU. The committee goes on to recommend the establishment of an action programme to support experience sharing and exchange of best practices between the NRAs, emergency services and civil society organisations in the Member States, extending this exchange to organisations in EU candidate and neighbouring countries. It suggests that, to this end, a network of experts could be set up. Lastly, Members call on the Member States and the Commission to promote the establishment of a ‘reverse 112 system’ , i.e. an EU-wide, universal, multilingual, accessible, simplified and efficient interconnected system for warning and alerting citizens in case of imminent or developing natural and/or man-made major emergencies and disasters of any type.
  • date: 2011-06-01T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN title: A7-0220/2011
  • date: 2011-07-04T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20110704&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2011-07-05T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=20198&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2011-07-05T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2011-306 title: T7-0306/2011 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on universal service and the 112 emergency number. Universal service : Members underline the importance of Universal Service Obligations (USOs) as a safety net for social inclusiveness where market forces alone have failed to provide citizens and businesses with basic services. They call on the Commission to provide guidelines on how best to implement and enforce Directive 2002/22/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC (Universal Service Directive or USD), avoiding market distortions and, at the same time, allowing Member States to adopt the provisions that best suit their national circumstances. Parliament states its support for the Digital Agenda’s ‘Broadband for all’ and calls on the Commission to give more financial support to local projects which provide digital access and to all communities which help disadvantaged groups to access technological devices by providing connections in public buildings offering free Internet access. However, making broadband availability obligatory will not automatically result in higher take-up. Parliament calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to reinforce measures to drive demand and stimulate take-up, rather than just ensuring a connection. It also calls on the Commission to: complete the ongoing impact assessment and provide legislators with sound data on the existing take-up, the expected demand for and improvement of USOs through broadband, and an analysis of the most effective financing mechanism for Member States, consumers and undertakings for rolling out USOs while avoiding inefficient costs and excessive burdens; in parallel and in collaboration with the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), to monitor markets carefully to ensure that those Member States which are already able to, or wish to, provide USOs across the range of broadband technologies and speeds, are able to do so in cases of market failure without actually causing distortions in the market; examine the options for an even application of USOs and users’ rights provisions which would assure accessibility for vulnerable groups, and especially for people with disabilities, not only through the introduction of special terminal equipment and affordable tariffs, but also through the availability of adequate information and a real choice for consumers of available services and after-sales services. Parliament considers nevertheless that the basic provision for funding universal service, ensuring it is handled in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, should remain in EU legislation and should be extended to cover data as well as voice obligations. The 112 European Emergency Number : Members stress that the European 112 emergency number can be a life saving number and increases EU citizens’ protection by serving as a major support system for citizens and consumers living within the Single Market. They underline the importance of ensuring the smooth operation of the 112 number throughout the Union, and regret that the European 112 emergency number is far from having reached its full potential: according to the Eurobarometer survey published in February 2011, only 26% of EU citizens can spontaneously identify 112 as the number to call for emergency services in the EU and 58% of EU citizens still disagree with the statement that people in their country are adequately informed about the existence of the 112 emergency number. Members urge the Commission and Member States to intensify their efforts to increase public awareness of the existence and use of the 112 number, namely through the development of a targeted and far-reaching communication strategy which addresses the preoccupations and queries that citizens have with regard to the mechanics of the system, and they make a number of suggestions in this regard. Parliament regrets that Member States do not yet ensure that timely, accurate and reliable location information is provided to the 112 services. It calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with Member States, to improve significantly the accuracy and reliability of caller location information under the new EU telecoms rules and to upgrade technology with the ultimate goal of mandatory automatic localisation for all 112 calls, including those from roaming customers, within a few seconds in order to provide dispatchers and first responders with this crucial information. The Commission is asked to envisage taking action against Member States that do not fulfil their obligations in this respect. Members ask for the ICT-PSP funds indicated in the EU Budget 2009, 2010 and 2011 to be allocated to support the testing and implementation of innovative services (based on VoIP and IP-access to 112) that could be initiated through network-independent applications in anticipation of the establishment of a Next Generation 112 system in the EU. Parliament goes on to recommend the establishment of an action programme to support experience sharing and exchange of best practices between the NRAs, Parliament emergency services and civil society organisations in the Member States, extending this exchange to organisations in EU candidate and neighbouring countries. It suggests that, to this end, a network of experts could be set up. Lastly, Members call on the Member States and the Commission to promote the establishment of a ‘reverse 112 system’ , i.e. an EU-wide, universal, multilingual, accessible, simplified and efficient interconnected system for warning and alerting citizens in case of imminent or developing natural and/or man-made major emergencies and disasters of any type.
  • date: 2011-07-05T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/internal_market/ title: Internal Market and Services commissioner: KROES Neelie
procedure/Modified legal basis
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
New
Rules of Procedure EP 150
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
IMCO/7/04575
New
  • IMCO/7/04575
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 052
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
procedure/subject
Old
  • 2.40.02 Public services, of general interest, universal service
  • 4.20.06 Health services, medical institutions
  • 4.60.04 Consumer health
New
2.40.02
Public services, of general interest, universal service
4.20.06
Health services, medical institutions
4.60.04
Consumer health
procedure/subtype
Old
Initiative
New
  • Initiative
  • See also 2013/2681(RSP)
procedure/summary
  • See also
activities
  • date: 2010-11-25T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża Gräfin von group: ALDE name: PARVANOVA Antonyia group: Verts/ALE name: CANFIN Pascal group: Verts/ALE name: RÜHLE Heide group: ECR name: HARBOUR Malcolm group: EFD name: SALVINI Matteo responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana
  • date: 2011-05-25T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża Gräfin von group: ALDE name: PARVANOVA Antonyia group: Verts/ALE name: CANFIN Pascal group: Verts/ALE name: RÜHLE Heide group: ECR name: HARBOUR Malcolm group: EFD name: SALVINI Matteo responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2011-06-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2011-220&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A7-0220/2011 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2011-07-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20110704&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2011-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=20198&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2011-306 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0306/2011 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2010-12-15T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: PPE name: FERNANDES José Manuel
  • body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: THUN UND HOHENSTEIN Róża Gräfin von group: ALDE name: PARVANOVA Antonyia group: Verts/ALE name: CANFIN Pascal group: Verts/ALE name: RÜHLE Heide group: ECR name: HARBOUR Malcolm group: EFD name: SALVINI Matteo responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2010-09-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (Associated committee) rapporteur: group: S&D name: RAPTI Sylvana
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/internal_market/ title: Internal Market and Services commissioner: KROES Neelie
procedure
dossier_of_the_committee
IMCO/7/04575
reference
2010/2274(INI)
title
Universal service and '112' emergency number
legal_basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
stage_reached
Procedure completed
summary
See also
subtype
Initiative
Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
type
INI - Own-initiative procedure
subject