Regulating Internet service providers

The European Commission has adopted a Communication reporting on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors. The key messages emerging from the consultation are: regulation needs to be transparent, clear and proportional and distinguish between transport (transmission of signals) and content. This implies a more horizontal approach to regulation with a homogenous treatment of all transport network infrastructure and associated services, irrespective of the nature of the services carried. A balanced solution as to how public broadcasting can be best integrated into the new environment is needed. It should respect Member States competence by defining the remit of public service broadcasting in accordance with Protocol 9 to the Amsterdam Treaty, whilst requiring that public broadcasters distinguish clearly between defined public broadcasting activities and activities lying in the competitive domain. The Commission intends to draw on this process to develop proposals for action : reforms in the regulation of infrastructure and associated services will be proposed by the end of 1999. Content services will be covered either by adjustments to existing legislation, or by the introduction of new measures.