PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE REVISION OF THE BROADBAND GUIDELINES

On 19 November the European Commission launched a targeted public consultation on the proposed revision of EU State aid rules for broadband networks - the Broadband Guidelines. The objective of the consultation is to clarify the existing State aid rules by taking into account the latest market and technological development.

Period of consultation: From 19 November 2021 to 11 February 2021.

The proposed targeted revision of the Guidelines consists of:

• Introducing new speed thresholds for public support to Gigabit fixed networks and new guidance on support for the deployment of mobile networks.
• Introducing a new category of possible aid in the form of demand-side measures supporting the take-up of fixed and mobile networks (vouchers).
• Further clarifying certain concepts
• Modifying the structure of the Guidelines.

The press release can be found here.
The draft Broadband Guidelines and further details can be found here.

Note:The adoption of the new Broadband Guidelines is foreseen for mid-2022.

 

REVIEW OF COMPETITION POLICY TO GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSITION

The European Commission adopted a Communication on competition policy fit for new challenges. Along with that, the Commission adopted the sixth amendment of the State aid Temporary Framework to enable the Member Stats to provide targeted support to companies during the pandemic crisis. Furthermore, the Commission is currently pursuing a review of competition policy tools.

The press release can be found here.

Note: The published Communication will contribute to the upcoming Broadband State aid Guidelines (see the article above).

DIGITAL ECONOMY AND SOCIETY INDEX - PART II

The European Commission published the results of the the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2021 which track the digital progress of the EU Member States. Along with that, the European Commission published a set of reports which complement the findings of the DESI indormation. The reports are the following:

(*) An updated Study on National Broadband Plans in the EU27 which summarises the connectivity measures in the Member States in the view of the Digital Agenda and the Gigabit Society targets. The analysis in the study mainly relies on the information obtained from the National authorities, the European Commission and the key stakeholders from the EU Member States.

The documents can be found here.

Next steps: The European Commission (DG Connect) will continue to monitor the trends and National Broadband Plan updates in the Member States in the coming years.

(*) A study on Mobile and Fixed Broadband Prices in Europe 2020 which focuses on three areas: fixed broadband coverage baskets, converged broadband baskets and mobile broadband baskets. It compares the prices across the EU, the price differences between the EU and non-EU countries, and the development of prices.

The documents can be found here.

Note: The Commission regularly monitors the prices of the mobile and fixed broadband across the EU.

(*) A study on the Broadband coverage in Europe 2020 which maps out the progress towards the broadband coverage objectives of the digital agenda.

The documents can be found here.

(*) An eGovernment benchmark 2021 report which compares how the governments deliver digital public services across Europe.

The documents can be found here.

(*) A survey on the contribution of ICT to the environmental sustainability of actions of EU enterprises. Its main objective is to show how the choice of ICTs is influenced by business strategies and goals, including those related to the environment. It also gives an overview of actions businesses are taking to reduce their environmental impact.

The documents can be found here.

(*) A report on the women in Digital Scoreboard 2021. Only 19% of ICT specialists and about one third of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates are female.

The documents can be found here.

 

2030 DIGITAL COMPASS: PATH TO A DIGITAL DECADE

3rd European 5G Observatory Stakeholders Workshop - 5G in the Digital Decade

On 18 November the European Commission held a workshop on the review of the main findings of the third year of the 5G Observatory and to exchange views on the current state of play on 5G deployment as well as the latest market trends and global developments.

More information can be found here.

Next steps: Many 5G auction are underway or expected, by end-year 2022.

Futurium discussion

On 17 November the European Commission held a community launch event on the 2030 Digital Decade and Futurium discussion. The objective of the event was to communicate the link between the stakeholder conversations on Futurium and the policy process surrounding Europe's Digital Decade.

The event featured an overview of the objectives and the main elements of the European Commission's proposal and ideas of an initial list on Multi-Country projects.

More information can be found here

Digital Compass Consultation Report

The Commission published a consultation report on the targeted consultation for the 2030 Policy Programme: "Path to a Digital Decade" which ran from June to August 2021. Most of the stakeholders agree that the pandemic situation emphasised the importance of ensuring that everyone in Europe benefits from the digital transformation. However, most of the respondents agree that the pandemic has changed their organisation's need for and dependence on security, dependence on digital public services, an increased need on digital public services and an increased need for highly skilled digital professionals.

More information can be found here

Next steps:

Stakeholders have the opportunity to provide additional feedback and an input on Europe's Digital Decade notably through the Digital Decade Community on Futurium.

DIGITAL SERVICES ACT

On 18 November the Council of the EU published a general approach on the Proposal on a Single Market for Digital Services Act (DSA). The Council (Working Party on Competitiveness and Growth) is invited to mark its agreement on the text and mandate the Presidency to enter into negotiations on the DSA with the representatives of the European Parliament and the Commission.

The document can be downloaded from here.

Next steps: The IMCO Committe has to vote on its report.

DIGITAL EUROPE PROGRAMME

The European Commission announced the first set of calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme. The calls are open to businesses, organisations, and public administrations from the EU Member States, as well as entities from other countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme. The grants will be targeted towards an investment in cloud to edge infrastructure, data spaces, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum communication infrastructure, in advancing people's digital skills, and projects that promote a safer internet, fight child sexual abuse, and disinformation.

The press release can be found here.

Next steps: The provided grants will be targeted towards an investment of over €415 million until the end of 2022.

EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS

On 19 November the Council of the EU gave a green light to the launch of 10 European Partnerships to accelerate the green and digital transition: Global Health EDCTP3, Innovative Health Initiative, Key Digital Technologies, Circular Bio-based Europe, Clean Hydrogen, Clean Aviation, Europe's Rail, Single European Sky ATM Research 3, Smart Networks and Services and Metrology.

The combined contribution between the European Union, Member States and/or the industry is expected to mobilise additional investments in the areas of health, transport, energy, digital technology and metrology, create jobs and growth, and generate long-term positive impact on the environment and the society.

More information can be found here.

Next steps: By the end of November 2022: publications of the Regulations on the Official EU Journal.

CYBERSECURITY: THE NIS DIRECTIVE

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) issued a new report on how the cybersecurity investments have developed under the provisions of the NIS directive. The report aggregates data from all 27 EU Member States and looks into the allocation of cybersecurity budget of operators of essential services and digital services providers and how this allocation has possibly changed as result of the need to implement the provisions of the directive.

More information can be found here.

2022 EU BUDGET

On 16 November the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the 2022 EU budget setting out total commitments and payments. The commitments on the single market, innovation and digital amount to 21 775,1 million euro and the payments amount to 21 473,5 million euro.

The press release can be found here.

Next steps: The Council and the European Parliament now have 14 days to approve the joint text. The Council is expected to approve it on 23 November and the Parliament on 25/26 November.

 

MERGERS

On 18 November the European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of T-Mobile Netherlands Holding B.V. of the Netherlands by Warburg Pincus LLC of the UK and Apax Partners LLP of the US. T-Mobile Netherlands, currently solely controlled by Deutsche Telekom AG, provides fixed and mobile telecommunications services to private and business customers, as well as wholesale access services in the Netherlands.

More information can be found here.