Telecommunications: unbundled access to local loops of operators having significant market power

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Mr Nicholas CLEGG (ELDR, UK) on the Commission's paper on the unbundling of local loop. The report was adopted by 378 to 21, with 41 abstentions. Although the Parliament broadly welcomes the Commission proposal, it was accompanied by 18 amendments. These amendments are designed to ensure that the technical aspects of the proposal are sufficiently detailed to reflect the binding nature of a regulation. This is to guarantee that unbundling is rapidly and effectively implemented. They also emphasise that refusal to allow unbundled access would prevent, restrict or distort competition in this sector. The amendments also include a list of minimum information that has to be given to new market entrants by incument operators. The role of the national regulatory authorites is also given in detail. In addition, the Parliament stresses the need for compensation for new market entrants if incumbent "notified operators" fail to meet lead times, so as to avoid procrastination by former monopolies. Finally, the date of the 31 December 2000 has been adopted as the deadline for the regulation to enter into force. Moreover, Commissioner Erikki Liikanen declared that he accepted almost everything in the report and that the Commission could fully support all 18 amendments.�