Broadband For All Europeans?

The European Commission is calling for broadband to be available to all Europeans by 2010 — however, currently only about 36% have access.

Should everyone have the right to broadband Internet access? That’s the issue before the European Commission at the moment, and they’re leaning toward yes. They’re bringing forward reviewing what basic telecoms services Europeans can expect, according to the BBC.

Under EC rules, when the majority of people in the European Union enjoy a telecom service, it becomes one all Europeans should have access to. But at the moment, figures indicate that only 36% of EU citizens have broadband access.

However, when announcing the review, EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said:

"High-speed internet is the passport to the Information Society and an essential condition for economic growth. This is why it is this Commission’s policy to make broadband Internet for all Europeans happen by 2010."

Under current European Commission Universal Service Obligations (USO), all who want it should have access to basic phone service, including directories and landline access for all calls. That also includes “functional Internet access,” which has been interpreted as basic dial-up service. The aim of the review is to determine whether the USO need to be rewritten to specify broadband access.

Currently, although some countries like Denmark offer 100% broadband coverage, in others, like Romania, only 40% of the population can obtain broadband. Even in highly developed nations like Italy and Germany, around 12% of the population doesn’t have broadband access.

If the review finds universal broadband to be an obligation, it could become law by 2010.