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))
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Marietje Schaake on behalf of the ALDE Group
Amelia Andersdotter, Judith Sargentini on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0498/2012
B7‑0499/2012
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
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 its resolution of 15 June 2010 on internet governance: the next steps[5],
– 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, and interest in, advancing the internet as a public place, where human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and assembly, are respected and the observance of free market principles, net neutrality and entrepreneurship are ensured;
2. Stresses that some ITR reform proposals being presented by the ITU member states would negatively impact the internet, its architecture, operations, content and security, business relations, internet governance and the free flow of information online;
3. 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;
4. Believes that, as a consequence of some of the proposals presented, the ITU itself could become the ruling power of the internet, instead of an open, inclusive and bottom-up multi-stakeholder model;
5. Believes that the ITU, or any other single, centralised international institution (e.g. ICANN), is not the appropriate body to assert regulatory authority over the internet;
6. 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, access to creative content online and the participatory governance entrusted to multiple actors such as governments, supranational institutions, non-governmental organisations, large and small private operators and the ‘internet public’ consisting of users and consumers;
7. Calls on the Council to give a clear and transparent mandate to the Commission to coordinate a single EU strategy among Member States, aimed primarily at ensuring and preserving the openness of the internet, protecting the rights and freedoms of internet users online and coordinating the negotiation of the revision of the ITRs on behalf of the European Union, on the basis of inclusively gathered input from multiple stakeholders;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.