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<span style="font-size:9pt">2</span>
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European Regional Bureau Newsletter: 28 October – 03 November 2017
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<span style="font-family:'Hind Light';color:#3a82e4">Internet Access</span>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: WiFi4EU regulation published in the Official Journal of the EU</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 25, the Regulation on the promotion of internet connectivity in local communities (</span> <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/wifi4eu-free-wi-fi-europeans"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">WiFi4EU</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">) was published in the</span> <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017R1953&from=EN"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Official Journal</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> of the EU.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The initiative aims to promote free Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces across Europe and increase accessibility to high-performance mobile Internet. The budget of the WiFi4EU scheme is €120 million for the next two years.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The European Parliament approved the proposal on September 12 and the final adoption in Council took place on October 9.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: Public consultation on draft BEREC-RSPG report on connectivity in challenge areas</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 31, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) published a</span> <a href="http://berec.europa.eu/eng/document_register/subject_matter/berec/download/0/7415-draft-berec-and-rspg-joint-report-onfaci_0.pdf"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">draft joint report</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> on facilitating mobile connectivity in challenge areas. On the same day, a</span> <a href="https://consultations.berec.europa.eu/en/page/berec"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">public consultation</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> on the draft report has been launched.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The report assesses a variety of initiatives aimed to facilitate mobile connectivity in what are described as 'challenge areas', where mobile connectivity is limited or absent. It describes the challenges encountered and the solutions suggested or implemented in these areas.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">These solutions include network sharing, state involvement through planning reforms and specific laws, and cooperation and dialogue between public and private stakeholders.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The public consultation will run from 31 October to 28 November.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Global: Intel to power 5G at 2018 Olympic Winter Games</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 31, Intel</span> <a href="https://newsroom.intel.com/editorials/intel-power-5g-network-2018-olympic-games/"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">announced</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> its intention to develop the world’s largest 5G showcase, in cooperation with KT Corporation (a Sourth Korean communications provider), during the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On that occasion, KT Corporation will deliver the first broad-scale 5G network paired with Intel 5G solutions that will enable practical on-site 5G-powered experiences.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
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<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">UK: Digital Minister addresses Broadband Stakeholder Group Conference</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On November 2, the UK Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock, in a</span> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/building-a-full-fibre-britain"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">speech</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> delivered at the Broadband Stakeholder Group 2017 conference, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to a full fibre and 5G future.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The Minister said the country is investing £1.1 billion in digital infrastructure to support the next generation connectivity. The Government is determined to deliver high speed broadband to all by 2020.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Minister Hancock also expressed concerns over the speed at which BT Group is moving in “formally implementing the split with OpenReach”, agreed last year. He said the Government would need “to talk to Ofcom” if significant progress was not made in the near future.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: BEREC 2017 4</span><span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light';vertical-align:super">th</span><span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> Contact Network Meeting</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The 4</span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light';vertical-align:super">th</span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC)</span> <a href="http://mmail.dods.co.uk/wf/click?upn=NVLSxtkvQ-2FKNk5BVwFZSOKrIq-2BproMBhHVJFsSw7ITAiEkOD6hw8AeuEkEGzcR9foBwhS7WfLepoYtXx5LKYVOnHd-2B6ZrItGVGKImg7rZiIWDh1JVOzPUD-2Bn-2B0Lptcv4OH58SjwxqITSv-2BE6R-2BJwZXNtJqNlDxAcrJ9qaNj9JICHniv-2BWFn-2BuKRfB0FGkj8NJZUuGmd9nEVsDySoelzM3g-3D-3D_HM2xLN2tM-2FYF1ZWutwuBpRAdFSQbUrSs7NyboXLLFm822xcDpziOR8BMS6kQ6D4LqIV3hzixU70dsgo3r5BjjdE2XkFGeN2POndNry9We83nhBOOZ36nQb4xn71oUNydpuIiJv-2F9e-2B3Oiqw2TNUBusnebW2yUnpTXcrhHBipUzi-2BWncmRRfrE6weQSWP-2FGp1IjFr53ec2vi6-2FtMxPvwp9NNSbwBjezobTKK5vZvh16k-3D"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Contact Network meeting</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> for 2017 will take place on November 16-17, in Malta.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The Contact Network will discuss net neutrality, next generation networks, as well as international roaming tariffs and connectivity in challenge areas.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The meeting will prepare the 33</span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light';vertical-align:super">rd</span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> ordinary plenary meetings of the BEREC Board of Regulators and the BEREC Office Management Committee (December 7-8, Denmark).</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Germany: Should fast Internet be a fundamental right?</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On November 3, Germany’s Acting Finance Minister and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff, Peter Altmaier,</span> <a href="http://www.bild.de/bildlive/2017/00-altmaier-53739314.bild.html"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">said</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> “an uninterrupted, good mobile network and fast Internet are part of the public welfare and, as such, a fundamental right.”</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">He suggested the issue should be part of the ongoing talks between the parties of the possible national coalition (Greens, Liberal Free Democrats and Christian Democrats).</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The expansion of digital infrastructure is one of the few points on which the parties have already</span> <a href="http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/jamaika-koalition-merkel-meint-dass-sondierungen-enden-zusammenbinden-koennen-1.3733823"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">agreed</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: Trilogue meetings on the European Electronic Communications Code</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The second meeting on telecoms between the three co-legislators (European Parliament, Commission and Council of the EU) will take place on December 6.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The co-legislators want to hold four additional trilogues and reach an agreement by April 2018. However, negotiations could continue until summer next year.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The discussions cover a vast array of issues, including intra-EU calls charges, spectrum licenses, encryption and networks access.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
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<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: DIGITALEUROPE Director General stresses need for seamless connectivity</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 24, at the</span> <a href="http://manufuture2017.eu/"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Manufuture 2017</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> conference in Tallinn, DIGITALEUROPE Director General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl</span> <a href="http://www.digitaleurope.org/Press-Room/Latest-News/News-Story/newsID/669"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">said</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> the EU needs seamless connectivity, as a core enabler for digital innovation (i.e. the deployment of the Internet of Things).</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">She argued digital technologies can leverage productivity and competitiveness, and that a strong digital infrastructure, digital skills, a safe cyber environment are key enablers for European companies to thrive in the digital era.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The Manufuture 2017 event brought together almost 600 leading representatives from industry, public Institutions and academia to discuss the future of European industry.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
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<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: Google appeal claims EU misstated facts when imposing record fine</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 31, a summary of Google’s appeal against the EU record €2.42 billion fine has been</span> <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:62017TN0612&from=EN"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">published</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> on the Official Journal of the EU.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Google has based its appeal on six arguments. Among these, it claims that the Court erred in finding that Google was favouring its own shopping services via its practice of grouping paid ads on top of product search results pages.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">It also argued that the European Commission misstates the facts and said a fine “was not warranted” on the grounds that the Commission “advanced a novel theory, selected the case for commitments, and previously rejected the remedy.”</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">Google attacked the Court for speculating about potential anti-competitive effects without actually evaluating market conditions.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The company submitted its appeal on September 11. The European Commission has not yet said when it will consider it or how long it will take to reach a final decision.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: Council supports consultation of the Committee of the Regions on cybersecurity file</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">In a</span> <a href="http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-13519-2017-INIT/en/pdf"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">note</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> published on October 27, the Council welcomes the Commission’s suggestion to consult the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on the</span> <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/com-2017-477_en"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">proposal for a Regulation</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> on ENISA (the Cybersecurity Agency) and on the Cybersecurity Act.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) is thus invited to decide to consult the CoR and to ask for its opinion as soon as possible.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">The proposed regulation would expand the powers of the EU’s cybersecurity agency, ENISA, and set the basis for a future cybersecurity certification scheme for Internet of Things products and services.</span> <p style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">EU: BUSINESSEUROPE addresses Commission First Vice-President on data flows</span>
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<span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">On October 30, BUSINESSEUROPE, the EU business association,</span> <a href="https://www.businesseurope.eu/sites/buseur/files/media/public_letters/rex/2017-10-30_mbe-f.timmermans_-_cross-border_data_flows_ftas.pdf"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">urged</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'"> European Commission First Vice-President Timmermans to “develop a position that will enable the EU to advance on cross-border free flow of data in trade negotiations.”</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">In its letter to Vice-President Timmermans, BUSINESSEUROPE stated that it supports a solution that enables cross-border data flows and tackles forced data localisation when disproportionate and unjustified.</span> <span></span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Hind Light'">It argues that cross-border data flows are essential to global trade and contribute in the growth of the economy as a whole. Hence, an agreement on the topic should be found as matter of urgency.</span> <p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:10.000000pt">
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