BETA


2016/0287(COD) Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities
Next event: Final act published in Official Journal 2017/11/01 more...

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead ITRE ZORRINHO Carlos (icon: S&D S&D) SANDER Anne (icon: PPE PPE), VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen (icon: ECR ECR), TELIČKA Pavel (icon: ALDE ALDE), SYLIKIOTIS Neoklis (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), REIMON Michel (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), BORRELLI David (icon: EFDD EFDD), KAPPEL Barbara (icon: ENF ENF)
Committee Opinion CULT NÍ RIADA Liadh (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL)
Committee Opinion ENVI
Committee Opinion BUDG Paul RÜBIG (icon: PPE PPE)
Committee Opinion REGI D'AMATO Rosa (icon: EFDD EFDD) Ivan JAKOVČIĆ (icon: ALDE ALDE), Fernando RUAS (icon: PPE PPE)
Committee Opinion IMCO
Committee Opinion TRAN ȚAPARDEL Claudia (icon: S&D S&D) Daniela AIUTO (icon: EFDD EFDD), Jozo RADOŠ (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 172

Events

2017/11/01
   Final act published in Official Journal
Details

PURPOSE: to support the provision of high quality wireless connectivity in local communities throughout the Union.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2017/1953 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities.

CONTENT: this Regulation amends Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure.

The amendments shall enable the Union to provide assistance to support access to high-quality free local wireless connectivity without discriminatory conditions in centres of public life (e.g. public administrations, libraries, hospitals, etc.) and outdoor public spaces).

The promotion of local wireless connectivity that is free of charge and without discriminatory conditions in centres of public life should be identified as a distinct project of common interest in the telecommunications sector within the meaning of Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014.

The Regulation aims to contribute to bridging the digital divide , particularly in rural and remote areas. It underlines the importance of broadband deployment in the Union and reaffirms the goal of ensuring that, by 2020, all Europeans have access to internet speeds of above 30 Mbps and 50 % or more of European households subscribe to internet connections above 100 Mbps.

Eligibility and conditions : under the Regulation, municipalities, hospitals and other public sector bodies may apply for funding for the installation of new wireless access points if there are no private or similar public internet access available.

The public body will have to commit to maintaining the new connection for at least three years .

Actions financed shall:

use the latest and best performing equipment capable of providing a high-speed connection that is easily accessible and properly secured, free of charge and without discriminatory conditions; provide access to services at least in the relevant languages of the Member State concerned and, to the extent possible, in other official languages of the institutions of the Union. respect the principles of technological neutrality ; commit to providing equipment or services to ensure that projects do not unduly distort competition.

In addition, internet connectivity shall:

be provided without corresponding remuneration , whether by direct payment or by other types of consideration, such as commercial advertising or the provision of personal data for commercial purposes; ensure the smooth functioning of the network and, in particular, fair allocation of capacity between users at peak times.

Financing : the available budget should be allocated in a geographically balanced manner across Member States to projects and, in principle, on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. EU funding will cover up to 100% of eligible costs .

To provide appropriate financing for the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities and to ensure its successful implementation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Connecting Europe Facility in the telecommunications sector should be increased by EUR 25 million , and may be increased to EUR 50 million .

Actions financed shall be carried out and monitored closely by the Commission for at least three years.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 4.11.2017.

2017/10/25
   CSL - Draft final act
Documents
2017/10/25
   CSL - Final act signed
2017/10/25
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/10/09
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after Parliament's 1st reading
2017/10/09
   CSL - Council Meeting
2017/09/12
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2017/09/12
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2017/09/12
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 98, with 9 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities.

The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows:

Aim : the aim of the Regulation is to support the provision of high-quality wireless connectivity in local communities across the Union in order to reduce the digital divide in rural and isolated areas.

The amended text stressed the importance of broadband deployment in the EU. It reaffirmed the goal of ensuring that, by 2020, all Europeans have access to internet speeds of above 30 Mbps and 50 % or more of European households subscribe to internet connections above 100 Mbps.

Eligibility and conditions : in order to be eligible for funding, actions shall:

be implemented by a public sector body which is capable of planning and supervising the installation, as well as ensuring for a minimum of three years the financing of operating costs , of indoor or outdoor local wireless access points in public spaces; use the latest and best-performing equipment capable of providing their users with a broadband connection that is easy to access and properly secured, free of charge and without discriminatory conditions; provide access to services at least in the relevant languages of the Member State concerned and, to the extent possible, in other official languages of the institutions of the Union; respect the principles of technological neutrality; commit to providing equipment or services to ensure that projects do not unduly distort competition.

In addition, internet connectivity shall:

be provided without corresponding remuneration , whether by direct payment or by other types of consideration, such as commercial advertising or the provision of personal data for commercial purpose; ensure a smooth functioning of the network and, in particular, the need to ensure a fair allocation of capacity between users at peak times.

Actions duplicating existing free private or public offers with similar characteristics in the same public space shall not be eligible to receive funding.

Budget : the available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner across Member States and, in principle, on a 'first come, first served' basis. Administrative procedures shall be simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner.

To provide appropriate financing for the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities and to ensure its successful implementation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Connecting Europe Facility in the telecommunications sector should be increased by EUR 25 million, and may be increased to EUR 50 million .

Actions financed shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years. The Commission shall inform end-users about the availability of services and draw attention to the fact that funding has been provided by the Union.

Documents
2017/09/11
   Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/06/21
   EP - Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations
2017/06/07
   CSL - Coreper letter confirming interinstitutional agreement
2017/05/04
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Carlos ZORRINHO (S&D, PT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Universal and free access : actions contributing to projects of common interest shall promote the provision of high quality local wireless connectivity that is free of charge and free from restrictions in local communities.

For the purposes of accessibility, those actions shall, to the extent possible, avoid potential language barriers.

Access points : in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities, the proposal encouraged the deployment of wireless local access points as part of simplified planning procedures with reduced regulatory barriers.

Members stressed that these access points should be able to form part of a network with a single authentication system that is valid across the whole Union, and other free local wireless connectivity networks should be able to join the system.

Simplified procedures : given the limited volume of financial appropriations measured against the possibly high number of applications, Members called for steps to be taken to ensure that administrative procedures are simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner.

In this regard, they called for Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 to be amended to ensure that certification of expenditure and annual reporting to the Commission are not obligatory for grants awarded under this Regulation.

Eligibility of actions : eligible institutions may use financial assistance to establish free local wireless connectivity in locations that are most suitable and accessible for community usage.

To be eligible, projects shall:

be implemented by a public sector body capable of ensuring the financing of operating costs for minimum of three years; build on very high-speed broadband connectivity enabling delivery of high quality Internet experience to users is that free, easy to access, and uses state-of-the-art equipment, taking advantage of optimal technological solutions ; respect the principle of technological neutrality , use public funding efficiently and are able to adapt projects to the best technological offers.

Financing : Member States may allocate their own resources or resources from the European Structural and Investment Funds to develop complementary services and offers that boost the sustainability of projects. Projects financed under this section shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years.

The intervention shall be implemented by the most appropriate forms of financial assistance, notably grants , for instance through vouchers , available under the Financial Regulation. The principle of sound financial management should apply.

The available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner so that projects can be covered in all the Member States. The allocation shall also take into account the need to address the digital divide.

Priority shall be given to local SMEs in the context of the procurement and installation of equipment.

Documents
2017/04/25
   EP - Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2017/04/25
   EP - Committee decision to open interinstitutional negotiations with report adopted in committee
2017/04/12
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/04/04
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/04/04
   CZ_CHAMBER - Contribution
Documents
2017/03/29
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/03/06
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2017/02/27
   FR_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2017/02/14
   IT_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2017/02/08
   CofR - Committee of the Regions: opinion
Documents
2017/01/31
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/01/25
   ESC - Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report
Documents
2016/12/22
   DE_BUNDESRAT - Contribution
Documents
2016/12/21
   DE_BUNDESRAT - Contribution
Documents
2016/12/19
   CZ_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2016/12/16
   SE_PARLIAMENT - Reasoned opinion
Documents
2016/12/01
   CSL - Debate in Council
2016/11/16
   EP - ZORRINHO Carlos (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in ITRE
2016/11/11
   RO_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2016/11/08
   EP - ȚAPARDEL Claudia (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in TRAN
2016/10/11
   EP - D'AMATO Rosa (EFDD) appointed as rapporteur in REGI
2016/10/10
   EP - NÍ RIADA Liadh (GUE/NGL) appointed as rapporteur in CULT
2016/10/06
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
2016/09/14
   EC - Document attached to the procedure
2016/09/14
   EC - Document attached to the procedure
2016/09/14
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to promote internet connectivity in local communities.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with Council.

BACKGROUND: the new telecommunications package adopted today by the Commission includes a Communication setting out a European vision of Internet connectivity for citizens and business in the Digital Single Market, as well as a legislative proposal for a European Electronic Communications Code. The Commission proposal set out the reforms needed to ensure availability and take-up of very high capacity networks and ensure that no one and no region is left behind.

One of the Commission's strategic aims for the Union to be achieved by 2025 is for sites at which public services are provided, such as public administrations, libraries and hospitals to be equipped with gigabit internet connections.

The proposal complements this effort through amendments to the legal framework for telecommunications in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), contained in Regulation (EU) No 1316/20133 and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure. These amendments encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity in the centres of local public life (e.g. public administrations, libraries, health centres and outdoor public spaces).

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the impact assessment carried out for the review of the regulatory framework builds on those considerations expressed by stakeholders and proposes to introduce provisions on the deployment of small cells . These provisions aim to reduce the costs of deploying very dense networks and to enhance access to local wireless connectivity in order to meet the exponential demand for ubiquitous connectivity.

CONTENT: the proposal aims to amend Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities.

Financial assistance : the proposal provides that entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services, wishing to offer free local wireless connectivity through local access points, will benefit from financial assistance.

Funding to local public authorities for access points in the centres of local public life , including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public, will be prioritised in the first phase of the intervention.

Targeted intervention : in order to ensure the targeted nature of the intervention and to realise maximum public benefit, funding will be limited to situations where no freely accessible public or private access points delivering very high-speed broadband exist.

Furthermore, funding will be awarded in a geographically balanced manner that contributes to the economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by taking particular account of the needs of local communities.

Rate of intervention : to ensure that local communities with limited resources can also experience these benefits of participation in the Digital Single Market, support under this measure should be available for up to 100 % of the eligible costs, without prejudice to the principle of co-financing.

Projects of common interest : given its flexible and focussed nature relative to the support for broadband networks under the telecommunications sectoral envelope for the implementation of the CEF, the intervention should be recognised as a separate project of common interest with associated actions under the CEF Regulation and a dedicated budget, the details of which should be provided for under the Guidelines Regulation.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: a total budget of EUR 120 million is envisaged for the period until 2019.

Appropriations required by the proposal are to be fully financed within the Multiannual

Financial Framework 2014-2020.

EUR 70 million are to be reallocated within the programmed amounts for the CEF telecommunications sector 2017-2019 and EUR 50 million will be transferred to the financial envelope for the telecommunications sector through an amendment of Article 5(1) of the CEF Regulation.

For reasons of consistency, this increase is also reflected in the proposal for an amendment of the legal framework for the European Fund for Strategic Investments.

Documents

Activities

AmendmentsDossier
265 2016/0287(COD)
2017/02/14 REGI 57 amendments...
source: 599.712
2017/03/06 ITRE 106 amendments...
source: 592.353
2017/03/10 BUDG 37 amendments...
source: 601.135
2017/03/16 TRAN 65 amendments...
source: 600.941

History

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

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  • date: 2016-09-14T00:00:00 docs: url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SWD:2016:0299:FIN:EN:PDF title: EUR-Lex title: SWD(2016)0299 type: Document attached to the procedure body: EC
  • date: 2016-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/parlements_nationaux/com/2016/0589/SE_PARLIAMENT_AVIS-COM(2016)0589_EN.pdf title: PE595.574 type: Reasoned opinion body: SE_PARLIAMENT
  • date: 2017-01-25T00:00:00 docs: url: https://dm.eesc.europa.eu/EESCDocumentSearch/Pages/redresults.aspx?k=(documenttype:AC)(documentnumber:5185)(documentyear:2016)(documentlanguage:FR) title: CES5185/2016 type: Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report body: ESC
  • date: 2017-01-31T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE592.352 title: PE592.352 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2017-02-08T00:00:00 docs: url: https://dm.cor.europa.eu/CORDocumentSearch/Pages/redresults.aspx?k=(documenttype:AC)(documentnumber:5113)(documentyear:2016)(documentlanguage:EN) title: CDR5113/2016 type: Committee of the Regions: opinion body: CofR
  • date: 2017-03-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE592.353 title: PE592.353 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-03-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE597.451&secondRef=02 title: PE597.451 committee: REGI type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-04-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE597.622&secondRef=02 title: PE597.622 committee: BUDG type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-04-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE595.741&secondRef=02 title: PE595.741 committee: TRAN type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-06-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/itre/lcag/2017/06-07/ITRE_LA(2017)005766_EN.pdf title: GEDA/A/(2017)005766 type: Coreper letter confirming interinstitutional agreement body: CSL
  • date: 2017-09-11T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=29548&j=0&l=en title: SP(2017)633 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • date: 2017-10-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=[%n4]%2F17&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 00028/2017/LEX type: Draft final act body: CSL
  • date: 2016-12-21T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0603 title: COM(2016)0603 type: Contribution body: DE_BUNDESRAT
  • date: 2016-12-19T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: CZ_SENATE
  • date: 2016-12-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: DE_BUNDESRAT
  • date: 2016-11-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: RO_SENATE
  • date: 2017-02-27T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: FR_SENATE
  • date: 2017-02-14T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: IT_SENATE
  • date: 2017-04-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2016)0589 title: COM(2016)0589 type: Contribution body: CZ_CHAMBER
events
  • date: 2016-09-14T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0589/COM_COM(2016)0589_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0589 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2016&nu_doc=0589 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to promote internet connectivity in local communities. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with Council. BACKGROUND: the new telecommunications package adopted today by the Commission includes a Communication setting out a European vision of Internet connectivity for citizens and business in the Digital Single Market, as well as a legislative proposal for a European Electronic Communications Code. The Commission proposal set out the reforms needed to ensure availability and take-up of very high capacity networks and ensure that no one and no region is left behind. One of the Commission's strategic aims for the Union to be achieved by 2025 is for sites at which public services are provided, such as public administrations, libraries and hospitals to be equipped with gigabit internet connections. The proposal complements this effort through amendments to the legal framework for telecommunications in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), contained in Regulation (EU) No 1316/20133 and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure. These amendments encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity in the centres of local public life (e.g. public administrations, libraries, health centres and outdoor public spaces). IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the impact assessment carried out for the review of the regulatory framework builds on those considerations expressed by stakeholders and proposes to introduce provisions on the deployment of small cells . These provisions aim to reduce the costs of deploying very dense networks and to enhance access to local wireless connectivity in order to meet the exponential demand for ubiquitous connectivity. CONTENT: the proposal aims to amend Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities. Financial assistance : the proposal provides that entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services, wishing to offer free local wireless connectivity through local access points, will benefit from financial assistance. Funding to local public authorities for access points in the centres of local public life , including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public, will be prioritised in the first phase of the intervention. Targeted intervention : in order to ensure the targeted nature of the intervention and to realise maximum public benefit, funding will be limited to situations where no freely accessible public or private access points delivering very high-speed broadband exist. Furthermore, funding will be awarded in a geographically balanced manner that contributes to the economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by taking particular account of the needs of local communities. Rate of intervention : to ensure that local communities with limited resources can also experience these benefits of participation in the Digital Single Market, support under this measure should be available for up to 100 % of the eligible costs, without prejudice to the principle of co-financing. Projects of common interest : given its flexible and focussed nature relative to the support for broadband networks under the telecommunications sectoral envelope for the implementation of the CEF, the intervention should be recognised as a separate project of common interest with associated actions under the CEF Regulation and a dedicated budget, the details of which should be provided for under the Guidelines Regulation. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: a total budget of EUR 120 million is envisaged for the period until 2019. Appropriations required by the proposal are to be fully financed within the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. EUR 70 million are to be reallocated within the programmed amounts for the CEF telecommunications sector 2017-2019 and EUR 50 million will be transferred to the financial envelope for the telecommunications sector through an amendment of Article 5(1) of the CEF Regulation. For reasons of consistency, this increase is also reflected in the proposal for an amendment of the legal framework for the European Fund for Strategic Investments.
  • date: 2016-10-06T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 type: Debate in Council body: CSL
  • date: 2017-04-25T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-04-25T00:00:00 type: Committee decision to open interinstitutional negotiations with report adopted in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-05-04T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0181&language=EN title: A8-0181/2017 summary: The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Carlos ZORRINHO (S&D, PT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities. The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the Commission proposal as follows: Universal and free access : actions contributing to projects of common interest shall promote the provision of high quality local wireless connectivity that is free of charge and free from restrictions in local communities. For the purposes of accessibility, those actions shall, to the extent possible, avoid potential language barriers. Access points : in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities, the proposal encouraged the deployment of wireless local access points as part of simplified planning procedures with reduced regulatory barriers. Members stressed that these access points should be able to form part of a network with a single authentication system that is valid across the whole Union, and other free local wireless connectivity networks should be able to join the system. Simplified procedures : given the limited volume of financial appropriations measured against the possibly high number of applications, Members called for steps to be taken to ensure that administrative procedures are simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner. In this regard, they called for Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 to be amended to ensure that certification of expenditure and annual reporting to the Commission are not obligatory for grants awarded under this Regulation. Eligibility of actions : eligible institutions may use financial assistance to establish free local wireless connectivity in locations that are most suitable and accessible for community usage. To be eligible, projects shall: be implemented by a public sector body capable of ensuring the financing of operating costs for minimum of three years; build on very high-speed broadband connectivity enabling delivery of high quality Internet experience to users is that free, easy to access, and uses state-of-the-art equipment, taking advantage of optimal technological solutions ; respect the principle of technological neutrality , use public funding efficiently and are able to adapt projects to the best technological offers. Financing : Member States may allocate their own resources or resources from the European Structural and Investment Funds to develop complementary services and offers that boost the sustainability of projects. Projects financed under this section shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years. The intervention shall be implemented by the most appropriate forms of financial assistance, notably grants , for instance through vouchers , available under the Financial Regulation. The principle of sound financial management should apply. The available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner so that projects can be covered in all the Member States. The allocation shall also take into account the need to address the digital divide. Priority shall be given to local SMEs in the context of the procurement and installation of equipment.
  • date: 2017-06-21T00:00:00 type: Approval in committee of the text agreed at 1st reading interinstitutional negotiations body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/itre/inag/2017/06-07/ITRE_AG(2017)606136_EN.pdf title: PE606.136 url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/itre/lcag/2017/06-07/ITRE_LA(2017)005766_EN.pdf title: GEDA/A/(2017)005766
  • date: 2017-09-12T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=29548&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2017-09-12T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20170912&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-09-12T00:00:00 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=P8-TA-2017-0326 title: T8-0326/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 98, with 9 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities. The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows: Aim : the aim of the Regulation is to support the provision of high-quality wireless connectivity in local communities across the Union in order to reduce the digital divide in rural and isolated areas. The amended text stressed the importance of broadband deployment in the EU. It reaffirmed the goal of ensuring that, by 2020, all Europeans have access to internet speeds of above 30 Mbps and 50 % or more of European households subscribe to internet connections above 100 Mbps. Eligibility and conditions : in order to be eligible for funding, actions shall: be implemented by a public sector body which is capable of planning and supervising the installation, as well as ensuring for a minimum of three years the financing of operating costs , of indoor or outdoor local wireless access points in public spaces; use the latest and best-performing equipment capable of providing their users with a broadband connection that is easy to access and properly secured, free of charge and without discriminatory conditions; provide access to services at least in the relevant languages of the Member State concerned and, to the extent possible, in other official languages of the institutions of the Union; respect the principles of technological neutrality; commit to providing equipment or services to ensure that projects do not unduly distort competition. In addition, internet connectivity shall: be provided without corresponding remuneration , whether by direct payment or by other types of consideration, such as commercial advertising or the provision of personal data for commercial purpose; ensure a smooth functioning of the network and, in particular, the need to ensure a fair allocation of capacity between users at peak times. Actions duplicating existing free private or public offers with similar characteristics in the same public space shall not be eligible to receive funding. Budget : the available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner across Member States and, in principle, on a 'first come, first served' basis. Administrative procedures shall be simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner. To provide appropriate financing for the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities and to ensure its successful implementation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Connecting Europe Facility in the telecommunications sector should be increased by EUR 25 million, and may be increased to EUR 50 million . Actions financed shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years. The Commission shall inform end-users about the availability of services and draw attention to the fact that funding has been provided by the Union.
  • date: 2017-10-09T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after Parliament's 1st reading body: EP/CSL
  • date: 2017-10-25T00:00:00 type: Final act signed body: CSL
  • date: 2017-10-25T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2017-11-01T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal summary: PURPOSE: to support the provision of high quality wireless connectivity in local communities throughout the Union. LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2017/1953 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities. CONTENT: this Regulation amends Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure. The amendments shall enable the Union to provide assistance to support access to high-quality free local wireless connectivity without discriminatory conditions in centres of public life (e.g. public administrations, libraries, hospitals, etc.) and outdoor public spaces). The promotion of local wireless connectivity that is free of charge and without discriminatory conditions in centres of public life should be identified as a distinct project of common interest in the telecommunications sector within the meaning of Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014. The Regulation aims to contribute to bridging the digital divide , particularly in rural and remote areas. It underlines the importance of broadband deployment in the Union and reaffirms the goal of ensuring that, by 2020, all Europeans have access to internet speeds of above 30 Mbps and 50 % or more of European households subscribe to internet connections above 100 Mbps. Eligibility and conditions : under the Regulation, municipalities, hospitals and other public sector bodies may apply for funding for the installation of new wireless access points if there are no private or similar public internet access available. The public body will have to commit to maintaining the new connection for at least three years . Actions financed shall: use the latest and best performing equipment capable of providing a high-speed connection that is easily accessible and properly secured, free of charge and without discriminatory conditions; provide access to services at least in the relevant languages of the Member State concerned and, to the extent possible, in other official languages of the institutions of the Union. respect the principles of technological neutrality ; commit to providing equipment or services to ensure that projects do not unduly distort competition. In addition, internet connectivity shall: be provided without corresponding remuneration , whether by direct payment or by other types of consideration, such as commercial advertising or the provision of personal data for commercial purposes; ensure the smooth functioning of the network and, in particular, fair allocation of capacity between users at peak times. Financing : the available budget should be allocated in a geographically balanced manner across Member States to projects and, in principle, on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. EU funding will cover up to 100% of eligible costs . To provide appropriate financing for the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities and to ensure its successful implementation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Connecting Europe Facility in the telecommunications sector should be increased by EUR 25 million , and may be increased to EUR 50 million . Actions financed shall be carried out and monitored closely by the Commission for at least three years. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 4.11.2017. docs: title: Regulation 2017/1953 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32017R1953 title: OJ L 286 01.11.2017, p. 0001 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2017:286:TOC
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  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect title: Communications Networks, Content and Technology commissioner: OETTINGER Günther
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  • name: European Committee of the Regions
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  • 17/05/2018 Decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations confirmed by plenary (Rule 69c)
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  • Amending Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 2011/0299(COD) Amending Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 2011/0302(COD)
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  • 3.30.20 Trans-European communications networks
  • 3.30.25 International information networks and society, internet
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International information networks and society, internet
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  • Amending Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013
  • Amending Regulation (EU) No 283/2014
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  • The European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 98, with 9 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities.

    The European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission proposal as follows:

    Aim: the aim of the Regulation is to support the provision of high-quality wireless connectivity in local communities across the Union in order to reduce the digital divide in rural and isolated areas.

    The amended text stressed the importance of broadband deployment in the EU. It reaffirmed the goal of ensuring that, by 2020, all Europeans have access to internet speeds of above 30 Mbps and 50 % or more of European households subscribe to internet connections above 100 Mbps.

    Eligibility and conditions: in order to be eligible for funding, actions shall:

    • be implemented by a public sector body which is capable of planning and supervising the installation, as well as ensuring for a minimum of three years the financing of operating costs, of indoor or outdoor local wireless access points in public spaces;
    • use the latest and best-performing equipment capable of providing their users with a broadband connection that is easy to access and properly secured, free of charge and without discriminatory conditions;
    • provide access to services at least in the relevant languages of the Member State concerned and, to the extent possible, in other official languages of the institutions of the Union;
    • respect the principles of technological neutrality;
    • commit to providing equipment or services to ensure that projects do not unduly distort competition.

    In addition, internet connectivity shall:

    • be provided without corresponding remuneration, whether by direct payment or by other types of consideration, such as commercial advertising or the provision of personal data for commercial purpose;
    • ensure a smooth functioning of the network and, in particular, the need to ensure a fair allocation of capacity between users at peak times.

    Actions duplicating existing free private or public offers with similar characteristics in the same public space shall not be eligible to receive funding.

    Budget: the available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner across Member States and, in principle, on a 'first come, first served' basis. Administrative procedures shall be simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner.

    To provide appropriate financing for the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities and to ensure its successful implementation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Connecting Europe Facility in the telecommunications sector should be increased by EUR 25 million, and may be increased to EUR 50 million.

    Actions financed shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years. The Commission shall inform end-users about the availability of services and draw attention to the fact that funding has been provided by the Union.

activities/7/docs
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  • The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Carlos ZORRINHO (S&D, PT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities.

    The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

    Universal and free access: actions contributing to projects of common interest shall promote the provision of high quality local wireless connectivity that is free of charge and free from restrictions in local communities.

    For the purposes of accessibility, those actions shall, to the extent possible, avoid potential language barriers.

    Access points: in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities, the proposal encouraged the deployment of wireless local access points as part of simplified planning procedures with reduced regulatory barriers.

    Members stressed that these access points should be able to form part of a network with a single authentication system that is valid across the whole Union, and other free local wireless connectivity networks should be able to join the system.

    Simplified procedures: given the limited volume of financial appropriations measured against the possibly high number of applications, Members called for steps to be taken to ensure that administrative procedures are simplified so that decisions can be taken in a timely manner.

    In this regard, they called for Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 to be amended to ensure that certification of expenditure and annual reporting to the Commission are not obligatory for grants awarded under this Regulation.

    Eligibility of actions: eligible institutions may use financial assistance to establish free local wireless connectivity in locations that are most suitable and accessible for community usage.

    To be eligible, projects shall:

    • be implemented by a public sector body capable of ensuring the financing of operating costs for minimum of three years;
    • build on very high-speed broadband connectivity enabling delivery of high quality Internet experience to users is that free, easy to access, and uses state-of-the-art equipment, taking advantage of optimal technological solutions;
    • respect the principle of technological neutrality, use public funding efficiently and are able to adapt projects to the best technological offers.

    Financing: Member States may allocate their own resources or resources from the European Structural and Investment Funds to develop complementary services and offers that boost the sustainability of projects.  Projects financed under this section shall be in operation and closely monitored by the Commission for at least three years.

    The intervention shall be implemented by the most appropriate forms of financial assistance, notably grants, for instance through vouchers, available under the Financial Regulation. The principle of sound financial management should apply.

    The available budget shall be allocated in a geographically balanced manner so that projects can be covered in all the Member States. The allocation shall also take into account the need to address the digital divide.

    Priority shall be given to local SMEs in the context of the procurement and installation of equipment.

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  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0181&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A8-0181/2017
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EP
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Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
committees
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting committee decision
New
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
activities/3
date
2017-04-25T00:00:00
body
unknown
type
Committee decision to open interinstitutional negotiations with report adopted in committee
activities/3
date
2017-04-25T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
committees
activities/0/commission/0/DG/url
Old
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
New
http://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
other/0/dg/url
Old
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
New
http://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
procedure/Mandatory consultation of other institutions
Old
Economic and Social Committee Committee of the Regions
New
European Economic and Social Committee European Committee of the Regions
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52016PC0589:EN
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52016PC0589:EN
activities/0/commission/0/DG/url
Old
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/connect/index_en.htm
New
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
activities/1/committees/4/shadows/0/mepref
Old
4f1adc41b819f207b300010c
New
53b2df74b819f205b0000116
activities/1/committees/4/shadows/0/name
Old
VĂLEAN Adina-Ioana
New
SANDER Anne
activities/1/committees/4/shadows/6
group
ENF
name
KAPPEL Barbara
committees/4/shadows/0/mepref
Old
4f1adc41b819f207b300010c
New
53b2df74b819f205b0000116
committees/4/shadows/0/name
Old
VĂLEAN Adina-Ioana
New
SANDER Anne
committees/4/shadows/6
group
ENF
name
KAPPEL Barbara
links/Research document
url
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2016)593561
title
Briefing
other/0/dg/url
Old
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/connect/index_en.htm
New
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/dg-connect
activities/1/committees/4/shadows/1
group
ECR
name
VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen
committees/4/shadows/1
group
ECR
name
VAN BOSSUYT Anneleen
activities/1/committees/0/date
2016-10-10T00:00:00
activities/1/committees/0/rapporteur
  • group: GUE/NGL name: NÍ RIADA Liadh
activities/2
date
2016-12-01T00:00:00
body
CSL
type
Debate in Council
committees/0/date
2016-10-10T00:00:00
committees/0/rapporteur
  • group: GUE/NGL name: NÍ RIADA Liadh
activities/1/committees/4/shadows/4
group
EFD
name
BORRELLI David
activities/1/committees/5/date
2016-10-11T00:00:00
activities/1/committees/5/rapporteur
  • group: EFD name: D'AMATO Rosa
committees/4/shadows/4
group
EFD
name
BORRELLI David
committees/5/date
2016-10-11T00:00:00
committees/5/rapporteur
  • group: EFD name: D'AMATO Rosa
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to promote internet connectivity in local communities.

    PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with Council.

    BACKGROUND: the new telecommunications package adopted today by the Commission includes a Communication setting out a European vision of Internet connectivity for citizens and business in the Digital Single Market, as well as a legislative proposal for a European Electronic Communications Code. The Commission proposal set out the reforms needed to ensure availability and take-up of very high capacity networks and ensure that no one and no region is left behind.

    One of the Commission's strategic aims for the Union to be achieved by 2025 is for sites at which public services are provided, such as public administrations, libraries and hospitals to be equipped with gigabit internet connections.

    The proposal complements this effort through amendments to the legal framework for telecommunications in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), contained in Regulation (EU) No 1316/20133 and Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 on guidelines for trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure. These amendments encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity in the centres of local public life (e.g. public administrations, libraries, health centres and outdoor public spaces).

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: the impact assessment carried out for the review of the regulatory framework builds on those considerations expressed by stakeholders and proposes to introduce provisions on the deployment of small cells. These provisions aim to reduce the costs of deploying very dense networks and to enhance access to local wireless connectivity in order to meet the exponential demand for ubiquitous connectivity.

    CONTENT: the proposal aims to amend Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 in order to promote internet connectivity in local communities.

    Financial assistance: the proposal provides that entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services, wishing to offer free local wireless connectivity through local access points, will benefit from financial assistance.

    Funding to local public authorities for access points in the centres of local public life, including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public, will be prioritised in the first phase of the intervention.

    Targeted intervention: in order to ensure the targeted nature of the intervention and to realise maximum public benefit, funding will be limited to situations where no freely accessible public or private access points delivering very high-speed broadband exist.

    Furthermore, funding will be awarded in a geographically balanced manner that contributes to the economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by taking particular account of the needs of local communities.

    Rate of intervention: to ensure that local communities with limited resources can also experience these benefits of participation in the Digital Single Market, support under this measure should be available for up to 100 % of the eligible costs, without prejudice to the principle of co-financing.

    Projects of common interest: given its flexible and focussed nature relative to the support for broadband networks under the telecommunications sectoral envelope for the implementation of the CEF, the intervention should be recognised as a separate project of common interest with associated actions under the CEF Regulation and a dedicated budget, the details of which should be provided for under the Guidelines Regulation.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: a total budget of EUR 120 million is envisaged for the period until 2019.

    Appropriations required by the proposal are to be fully financed within the Multiannual

    Financial Framework 2014-2020.

    • EUR 70 million are to be reallocated within the programmed amounts for the CEF telecommunications sector 2017-2019 and
    • EUR 50 million will be transferred to the financial envelope for the telecommunications sector through an amendment of Article 5(1) of the CEF Regulation.

    For reasons of consistency, this increase is also reflected in the proposal for an amendment of the legal framework for the European Fund for Strategic Investments.

activities/1/committees/4/date
2016-11-16T00:00:00
activities/1/committees/4/rapporteur
  • group: S&D name: ZORRINHO Carlos
activities/1/committees/4/shadows
  • group: EPP name: VĂLEAN Adina-Ioana
  • group: ALDE name: TELIČKA Pavel
  • group: GUE/NGL name: SYLIKIOTIS Neoklis
  • group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel
activities/1/committees/6/date
2016-11-08T00:00:00
activities/1/committees/6/rapporteur
  • group: S&D name: ȚAPARDEL Claudia
committees/4/date
2016-11-16T00:00:00
committees/4/rapporteur
  • group: S&D name: ZORRINHO Carlos
committees/4/shadows
  • group: EPP name: VĂLEAN Adina-Ioana
  • group: ALDE name: TELIČKA Pavel
  • group: GUE/NGL name: SYLIKIOTIS Neoklis
  • group: Verts/ALE name: REIMON Michel
committees/6/date
2016-11-08T00:00:00
committees/6/rapporteur
  • group: S&D name: ȚAPARDEL Claudia
activities/1
date
2016-10-06T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
committees
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
ITRE/8/07864
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Preparatory phase in Parliament
New
Awaiting committee decision
procedure/Mandatory consultation of other institutions
Economic and Social Committee Committee of the Regions
activities/0/commission/0
DG
Commissioner
OETTINGER Günther
other/0
body
EC
dg
commissioner
OETTINGER Günther
activities
  • date: 2016-09-14T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0589/COM_COM(2016)0589_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0589 type: Legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52016PC0589:EN body: EC type: Legislative proposal published commission:
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Budgets committee: BUDG
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Culture and Education committee: CULT
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee: ENVI
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee: IMCO
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Regional Development committee: REGI
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN
links
other
    procedure
    reference
    2016/0287(COD)
    subtype
    Legislation
    legal_basis
    Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU 172
    stage_reached
    Preparatory phase in Parliament
    summary
    instrument
    Regulation
    title
    Promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities
    type
    COD - Ordinary legislative procedure (ex-codecision procedure)
    subject