MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the forthcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) of the International Telecommunication Union, and the possible expansion of the scope of international telecommunication regulations

19.11.2012 - (2012/2881(RSP))

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Sabine Verheyen on behalf of the PPE Group
Ivailo Kalfin, Petra Kammerevert on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0498/2012

B7‑0498/2012

European Parliament resolution on the forthcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) of the International Telecommunication Union, and the possible expansion of the scope of international telecommunication regulations

(2012/2881(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Directive 2009/140/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009[1] amending Directives 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities, and 2002/20/EC on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services,

–   having regard to Directive 2009/136/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009[2] amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws,

–   having regard to Directive 2002/77/EC of 16 September 2002[3] on competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services,

–   having regard to its resolution of 17 November 2011 on the open internet and net neutrality in Europe[4],

–   having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council decision establishing the EU Position for the review of the International Telecommunications Regulations to be taken at the World Conference on International Telecommunications or its preparatory instances (COM(2012)0430),

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) were adopted by the World Administrative Telegraphy and Telephone Conference in Melbourne in 1988 and have not been revised since;

B.  whereas the 27 Member States of the European Union are signatories to these ITRs;

C. whereas the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called a meeting in Dubai from 3 to 14 December 2012, named the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), to agree to a new text for these ITRs;

1.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to ensure that any changes to the International Telecommunication Regulations are compatible with the EU acquis and further the Union’s objective of advancing the internet as a public place for the exercise of human rights, freedom of speech and free entrepreneurship;

2.  Regrets the lack of transparency surrounding preparations for WCIT-12 and the meeting itself, given that the outcomes of this meeting are important matters affecting the public interest;

3.  Stresses that some ITR reform proposals being presented by the 193 ITU member states would impact the internet, its architecture, operations, content and security, business relations, internet governance and the free flow of information online;

4.  Believes that, as a consequence of some of the proposals presented, the ITU itself could become the ruling power of the internet, which could end the present organisation involving multiple actors and ensuring bottom-up, multi-stakeholder participation; fears that, if adopted, these proposals may seriously affect the development of and access to online services for end users, as well as the digital economy as a whole; believes that internet governance and related regulatory issues should continue to be the subject of comprehensive and multi-layer consultations;

5.  Is concerned that these ITU reform proposals include the establishment of specific interconnection charging mechanisms, which could seriously threaten the open and competitive nature of the internet by driving up prices and hampering innovation;

6.  Believes that, while certain issues underpinning some of these proposals, such as the fair allocation of revenues from the internet value chain, need to be taken in to account, the ITU is not the appropriate body to assert regulatory authority over either internet governance or traffic flows;

7.  Supports any proposals to maintain the current scope of the ITRs and the current mandate of the ITU, but opposes any proposals that would extend the scope to areas such as the routing of internet-based traffic and content-related issues;

8.  Calls on the Member States to prevent any changes to the International Telecommunication Regulations which would be harmful to the openness of the internet, net neutrality, the end-to-end principle, universal service obligations, creative content online and the participatory governance entrusted to multiple actors such as governments, supranational institutions, non-governmental organisations, and large and small private operators;

9.  Recalls the importance of safeguarding a robust best-effort internet, fostering innovation and freedom of expression, ensuring competition and avoiding a new digital divide;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

• [1]  OJ L 337, 18.12.2009, p. 37.
• [2]  OJ L 337, 18.12.2009, p. 11.
• [3]  OJ L 249, 17.9.2002, p. 21.
• [4]  Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0511.