A4-0336/95

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks (COM(95)0224 - C4- 0225/95 - 95/0124(COD))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 47)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas the implementation and the development of trans-European telecommunications networks aim at ensuring the circulation and the exchange of information across the Union; whereas this is a pre-condition to make possible the establishment of the 'information society', which will result from the availability, for each citizen, company or public authority everywhere in the Union, of any kind and quantity of information they need;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the implementation and the development of trans-European telecommunications networks aim at ensuring the circulation and the exchange of information across the Union; whereas this is a pre-condition to enable citizens and industry - especially SMEs - in the Union to derive full benefit from the potential of telecommunications so as to make possible the establishment of the 'information society', in which the development of applications, services and telecommunications networks will be of crucial importance with a view to ensuring the availability, for each citizen, company or public authority everywhere in the Union, including the less developed or peripheral regions, of any kind and quantity of information they need;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 9

>Original text>

Whereas projects of common interest can, in many cases, already be implemented in the present telecommunications networks, in order to offer trans-European applications; whereas guidelines have to be drawn up, in order to identify these projects of common interest;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas projects of common interest can, in many cases, already be implemented in the present telecommunications networks, especially the Euro-ISDN, in order to offer trans-European applications; whereas guidelines have to be drawn up, in order to identify these projects of common interest, via the adoption of fully transparent criteria for proposal selection and implementation monitoring;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 9a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas there must be coordination between the implementation of the proposals chosen and similar initiatives adopted at national or regional level in the Union;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 10

>Original text>

Whereas in the selection and implementation of such projects account should be taken of both infrastructures offered by telecommunications organisations as well as alternative infrastructures offered by other providers;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in the selection and implementation of such projects account should be taken of all infrastructures offered by incumbent and new providers;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 12

>Original text>

Whereas the present networks, which include existing ISDN, are evolving towards advanced networks offering a variable data flow rate up to broadband capabilities, adaptable to different needs, in particular to the offer of multimedia services and applications; whereas the implementation of integrated broadband communication (IBC) networks will be the outcome of this evolution; whereas IBC will constitute the optimal platform on which applications of the information society can be built;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the present networks, which include existing Euro-ISDN, will evolve towards advanced networks offering a variable data flow rate up to broadband capabilities, adaptable to different needs, in particular to the offer of multimedia services and applications; whereas the implementation of integrated broadband communication (IBC) networks will be the outcome of this evolution; whereas IBC will constitute the optimal platform on which future applications of the information society will be built;

(Amendment 48)

Recital 16

>Original text>

Whereas effective coordination needs to be ensured between the different Community programmes, and in particular as appropriate, with programmes in favour of SMEs and with information content oriented programmes (such as INFO 2000, Media 2) and other information society activities;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas effective coordination needs to be ensured between the development of the trans-European telecommunications networks, which must address real-world concerns, excluding demonstration, awareness-raising or experimental projects, and the specific programmes of the fourth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration and the other programmes aimed at achieving the information society, and in particular as appropriate, with programmes in favour of SMEs and with information content oriented programmes (such as INFO 2000, Media 2) and other information society activities;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 18

>Original text>

Whereas the telecommunications sector is being progressively liberalised; whereas the development of trans-European applications, services and networks relies mainly on private initiative; whereas these trans-European developments must respond to market needs; whereas, taking this into account, the interested sector actors will be requested to propose, through appropriate procedures giving them equal chances, specific projects of common interest in chosen domains; whereas these procedures have to be defined and a list of the chosen domains has to be adopted; whereas a Committee shall assist the Commission for the identification of the specific projects of common interest;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the telecommunications sector is being progressively liberalised; whereas the development of trans-European applications, services and networks relies mainly on private initiative; whereas these trans-European developments must respond on a European scale to market needs or to actual and sizeable needs of society which are not covered by mere market forces; whereas , taking this into account, the interested sector actors will be requested to propose, through appropriate procedures giving them equal chances, specific projects of common interest in priority domains; whereas the identification of the specific projects of common interest has to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty, and in particular Article 129d thereof;

(Amendment 49)

Recital 19

>Original text>

Whereas the Community financial support to the implementation of projects of common interest identified within this Decision has to be considered in the framework of the Regulation laying down general principles for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks; whereas following this Regulation, the concerned Member States shall give a certain degree of support to the projects of common interest;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community financial support to the implementation of projects of common interest identified within this Decision has to be considered not only in the framework of the Regulation laying down general principles for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks, but also by using, on a synergetic basis, all the forms of financial aid intended for the development of new policies that can be applied in the telecommunications sector, especially the Cohesion and Structural Funds, so as to derive full advantage from coordination between the various sources, and to derive maximum benefit from the potential of telecommunications as a means for completing the single market and increasing the capacity to meet the challenges which the Union's industry will face in the near future and as an instrument of economic and social cohesion; whereas following the abovementioned Regulation, the concerned Member States shall give a certain degree of support to the projects of common interest;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 20

>Original text>

Whereas the Commission shall undertake actions to assure interoperability of the networks, and to coordinate the activities of the Member States aiming at the implementation of trans-European telecommunications networks;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Commission shall propose the necessary regulations and undertake actions to assure full interoperability on all interconnected networks, and to coordinate the activities of the Member States aiming at the implementation of trans-European telecommunications networks regardless of their involvement in the abovementioned projects of common interest;

(Amendment 15)

Article 1

>Original text>

This Decision establishes guidelines covering objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures in the field of trans-European telecommunications networks. These guidelines set out the domains for projects of common interest, and a procedure for the identification of specific projects of common interest in these domains.

>Text following EP vote>

This Decision establishes guidelines covering objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures in the field of trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure. These guidelines set out the domains for projects of common interest, and a procedure for the identification of specific projects of common interest in these domains.

(Amendment 18)

Article 2, introduction and first indent

>Original text>

The Community will support the interconnection of telecommunications networks, in particular integrated broadband communication (IBC) networks, the setting up and the deployment of interoperable services and applications and required infrastructure as well as the access to them, with the general objectives of:

>Text following EP vote>

The Community will support the interconnection of the networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure, the establishment and the development of interoperable services and applications as well as the access to them, with the general objectives of:

>Original text>

- facilitating the transition towards the information society, in particular to promote the satisfaction of social needs and to improve the quality of life,

>Text following EP vote>

- facilitating the technical transition towards the information society as well as providing experience on the effects of the deployment of new networks and applications on social activities and to promote the satisfaction of social needs and to improve the quality of life,

(Amendment 50)

Article 3

>Original text>

The priorities for the realisation of the objectives mentioned in Article 2 will be:

>Text following EP vote>

The priorities for the realisation of the objectives mentioned in Article 2 will be, in the following order:

>Original text>

- The confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications supporting the development of a European information society, in particular applications of collective interest.

- The confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications contributing to the economic and social cohesion, by improving access to information across the whole Union building on the European cultural diversity.

- Actions aiming at the stimulation of interregional initiatives, associating less favoured regions for the launch of trans-European telecom services and applications.

>Text following EP vote>

(a) The identification, the confirmation of the technical and commercial feasibility as well as the assessment of the social consequences, followed by the deployment of trans-European generic services providing a seamless access to all kind of information, including in rural and peripheral areas, and interoperable with equivalent services at world level.

(b) The identification and removal of gaps and missing links for an effective interconnection and interoperability in all their components of telecommunications networks in Europe and at world level, with a particular emphasis on Euro-ISDN networks and, where it meets an identified sizeable potential market demand, on IBC networks.

>Original text>

- The confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications and services contributing to the strengthening of the internal market and job creation, in particular those offering to SMEs means to improve their competitiveness in the European Union and at world level.

- The identification, the confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of trans-European generic services providing a seamless access to all kind of information, including in rural and peripheral areas, and interoperable with equivalent services at world level.

- The confirmation of the feasibility of new high-bandwidth fibre optic backbone networks, where required for such applications and services, and the promotion of the interconnectivity of such networks.

- The identification and removal of gaps and missing links for an effective interconnection and interoperability in all their components of telecommunications networks in Europe and at world level, with a particular emphasis on IBC networks.

>Text following EP vote>

(c) The confirmation of the technical and commercial feasibility as well as the assessment of the social consequences, followed by the deployment of applications supporting the development of a European information society, in particular applications of collective interest, applications building on the European cultural diversity or stimulating creative exchange of ideas between citizens and participation in social or political activities.

(d) The confirmation of the feasibility of IBC backbone networks, where required for such applications and services, and the promotion of the interconnectivity of such networks.

(e) The confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications and services contributing to the strengthening of the internal market and job creation, in particular those offering to SMEs means to improve their competitiveness in the European Union and at world level.

(f) The confirmation of the feasibility, followed by the deployment of applications contributing to the economic and social cohesion, by improving access to information across the whole Union.

>Text following EP vote>

(g) Actions aiming at the stimulation of cross-border interregional initiatives for the launch of trans-European telecom services and applications.

>Text following EP vote>

(h) Action to promote applications strengthening ties, on the basis of mutual understanding, closer relations and maximum economic, cultural and associative exchange, with the countries of the Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe, the CIS and Latin America.

(Amendment 20)

Article 4, first indent

>Original text>

- Identification of projects of common interest.

>Text following EP vote>

- Identification of projects of common interest, using fully transparent criteria for project selection and implementation monitoring.

(Amendment 22)

Article 4, sixth indent a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- Development and improvement of communication in the sphere of public administration, so as to improve coordination between the public and private sectors and between the public sector and the citizens, through the use of 'teleadministration' by public authorities;

(Amendment 23)

Article 5

>Original text>

The development of trans-European telecommunications networks is made under this Decision by the implementation of projects of common interest. The domains within which projects of common interest shall be identified are listed in Annex 1.

>Text following EP vote>

The development of trans-European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure is made under this Decision by the implementation of projects of common interest. The domains within which projects of common interest shall be identified are listed in Annex I.

(Amendment 51)

Article 7(1)

>Original text>

1. A work programme shall be drawn up by the Commission, in conformity with the other trans-European network policies, in consultation with sector actors, for selecting the areas in which specific projects of common interest can be proposed, within the domains of projects of common interest set out in Annex 1. The work programme shall be updated as necessary.

>Text following EP vote>

1. A draft work programme shall be prepared by the Commission, in conformity with the other trans-European network policies, in consultation with sector actors, for selecting the areas in which specific projects of common interest can be proposed, within the domains of projects of common interest set out in Annex I and identifying the specific measures suitable for specific groups of the population according to social or regional criteria with the view of ensuring their integration into all domains of the emerging information society. The work programme shall be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council and updated as necessary in accordance with Article 129d of the Treaty.

(Amendment 26)

Article 8(2)

>Original text>

2. For the cases specified in Article 9(1), the Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The Commission representative shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the Member States' representatives within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote.

The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged where they are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Commission shall be assisted by an advisory committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The Commission representative shall submit to the committee and to the European Parliament a draft of the proposed measures. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by a vote. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to insist that its position is specified in the minutes. The minutes shall be forwarded to the European Parliament. The Commission shall, as far as is possible, take account of the opinion of the committee and the remarks of the European Parliament. It shall inform the committee and the European Parliament of the form in which their views have been taken into account.

>Original text>

If the measures are not in accordance with the Committee's opinion, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall without delay submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be taken. The Council shall act by qualified majority.

>Original text>

If on expiry of a period of one month from referral of the matter to the Council, the latter has not acted, the proposed measure shall be adopted by the Commission.

(Amendment 27)

Article 9(1), first indent

>Original text>

- the preparation and updating of the work programme referred to in Article 7,

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 28)

Article 9(1), third indent

>Original text>

- the definition of complementary support and coordination actions,

>Text following EP vote>

- the definition of complementary support and coordination actions, in particular concerning the implementation of the proposals chosen and similar measures adopted at national or regional level in the Union,

(Amendment 29)

Article 9(2)

>Original text>

2. For the particular case of the domain of projects of common interest related to ISDN (referenced in Annex 1, point 3, paragraph 1), the applicable guidelines are those adopted by the Council.

>Text following EP vote>

2. For the particular case of the domain of projects of common interest related to Euro-ISDN (referenced in Annex I, point 3, paragraph 1), the applicable guidelines are those adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

(Amendment 30)

Article 9(3)

>Original text>

3. The Commission shall inform the Committee, at each of its meetings, of the progress of the work programme implementation.

>Text following EP vote>

3. The Commission shall inform the Committee, at each of its meetings, of the progress of the work programme implementation, and shall inform the responsible committee of the European Parliament thereof in writing.

(Amendment 32)

Annex I, second paragraph, first two indents

>Original text>

- The applications layer, through which users interact with generic services and basic networks for meeting their professional, educational and social needs. Applications require to be interoperable between themselves to bring the maximum benefit to the users across the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

- The applications layer, through which users interact with generic services and basic networks for meeting their professional, educational and social needs.

>Original text>

- The generic services layer, made of compatible generic services and their management. Through support of the applications common requirements, these services complement the applications whilst aiding their interoperability.

>Text following EP vote>

- The generic services layer, made of compatible generic services and their management. Through support of the applications common requirements and by providing common non-proprietary tools for development and implementation of new applications, these services complement the applications whilst aiding their interoperability.

(Amendment 33)

Annex I(1), introduction

>Original text>

The domains in which applications projects will be identified are the following:

>Text following EP vote>

Applications will need to use local languages, except when they are designed for specific categories of professional users, and to be interoperable between themselves to bring the maximum benefit to the users across the Community. They must address the widest possible populations of users and demonstrate citizens' access to services of collective interest. The stage of confirmation of the feasibility shall include an assessment of the social and societal impact of the introduction of the application.

>Text following EP vote>

The domains in which applications projects will be identified are the following:

(Amendment 34)

Annex I(1), indent 2

>Original text>

- Distance education and training: Advanced distance education and training services should be made accessible for all citizens, schools, colleges and businesses. Centers should be set up and made remotely accessible across Europe in order to provide courseware and training services for SMEs, large companies, education systems, and public administrations. New approaches to professional training for the information society should be developed and promoted.

>Text following EP vote>

- Distance education and training: Advanced distance education and training services should be made accessible for all citizens, schools, colleges and businesses. Centers should be set up and made remotely accessible across Europe in order to provide courseware and training services for SMEs, large companies, education systems, and public administrations. New approaches to general, academic, professional and linguistic training should be developed and promoted as part of the transition towards the information society.

(Amendment 35)

Annex I(1), indent 4

>Original text>

- Transport telematics: Full advantage should be taken of trans-European telecommunications networks to improve transport network management and logistical support for transport industries and the development of value- added services. Telematic systems and services, wherever applicable, should also serve as a tool for implementing Common Transport Policy; the necessary complementarity with and interoperability of the trans-European Transport Network will be ensured.

>Text following EP vote>

- Transport telematics: Full advantage should be taken of trans-European telecommunications networks to improve transport network management and logistical support for transport industries and the development of value- added services. Integrated multimodal transport, non-motorized personal transport, public transport and environment-friendly modes shall be treated as a priority. Telematic systems and services, wherever applicable, should also serve as a tool for implementing Common Transport Policy; the necessary complementarity with and interoperability of the trans-European Transport Network will be ensured.

(Amendment 36)

Annex I(1), indent 6

>Original text>

- Teleworking: The development of teleworking (in homes and satellite offices) supported by advanced communication systems will help provide new forms of flexibility in terms of the place of work and the way work is organised. Through the decentralisation of professional activities, teleworking can also help reduce the environmental consequences of daily commuting to population centres.

>Text following EP vote>

- Teleworking: The development of teleworking in satellite offices and conceivably in homes supported by advanced communication systems will help provide new forms of flexibility in terms of the place of work and the way work is organised. Through the decentralisation of professional activities, teleworking can also help reduce the environmental consequences of daily commuting to population centres. Applications should be set up to allow for such developments while ensuring the preservation of workers' rights and preventing the risks of social isolation that could be involved with teleworking. Special attention should be paid to the evaluation of the social consequences of these applications.

(Amendment 37)

Annex I(1), indent 12

>Original text>

- Telematic services for the job market: Networked services, such as job information databases, should be developed to support the changing labour market in Europe and to help tackle unemployment.

>Text following EP vote>

- Telematic services for the job market: Networked services, such as job information databases, should be developed to support the changing labour market in Europe, publicize EU-wide job opportunities and encourage workforce mobility and gradual approximation of conditions and terms of employment.

(Amendment 38)

Annex I(1), indent 13

>Original text>

- Cultural and linguistic heritage: Initiatives should be launched to foster the preservation of and access to the European cultural heritage, and to demonstrate the potential of the information infrastructure to support the development of local content in local languages.

>Text following EP vote>

- Cultural and linguistic heritage: Initiatives should be launched to foster the preservation of and access to the European cultural heritage (including support for museum and cultural site multi-media networks) and creation, and to demonstrate the potential of the information infrastructure to stimulate and enhance creative endeavours and achievements as well as to encourage local content and its dissemination.

(Amendment 39)

Annex I(1), indent 14

>Original text>

- Citizens' access to services: Applications demonstrating citizens' access to services of collective interest should be set up. Examples might include the establishment of kiosks and access points in public areas, and the use of smart cards and electronic wallets.

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 40)

Annex I(1), indent 14a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- Access to databases for researchers, universities and enterprises.

(Amendment 42)

Annex I(2), indent 1

>Original text>

- Implementation of operational trans-European generic services: They should include in particular electronic mail, file transfer systems, on-line access to electronic data bases, and video services. As there is an urgent need for these trans-European generic services, they will use existing switched basic networks and user access. They should include service elements operating at European scale, protection and information security, trans-European 'kiosk¨ and network navigational aids, etc.

>Text following EP vote>

- Implementation of operational trans-European generic services: They should include in particular electronic mail, file transfer systems, on-line access to electronic data bases, and video services. As there is an urgent need for these trans-European generic services, they will use existing or emerging networks, fixed or mobile, and user access. They should include service elements operating at European scale, protection and information security, especially preservation and remuneration of intellectual property, payment facilities, trans-European 'kiosk¨, access points in public areas, systems enabling the use of smart cards and electronic wallets, etc.

(Amendment 43)

Annex I(2), indent 2

>Original text>

- Progressive extension of the generic services toward a multimedia environment: These services will offer end-users access to multimedia services, and might cover, but should not be limited to, multi-media mail, high speed file transfer and video services, including Video-on-Demand. Use of these multimedia services by business and residential users should be encouraged, as well as the integration of new service elements such as automatic translation, speech recognition, graphical user interfaces.

>Text following EP vote>

- Progressive extension of the generic services toward a multimedia environment: These services will offer end-users access to multimedia services, and might cover, but should not be limited to, multi-media mail, high speed file transfer and video services, including Video-on-Demand. Use of these multimedia services by business and residential users should be encouraged, as well as the integration of new service elements such as automatic translation, speech recognition, graphical user interfaces, 'intelligent agents¨ and non-proprietary general-use tools based on standard or publicly available specifications.

(Amendment 44)

Annex I(2), indent 3

>Original text>

- Introduction of non-proprietary digital signature as a basis for open service provision and mobility of use: Generic services will rely on a large number of complementary and competing services providers. Open Service Provision and mobility of use will be of key importance and require electronic names (digital signatures) to be generally available and supported.

>Text following EP vote>

- Introduction of non-proprietary digital signature as a basis for open service provision and mobility of use: Generic services will rely on a large number of complementary and competing services providers. Open Service Provision and mobility of use, protection and remuneration of intellectual property, provision of an alternative to conventional physical authentication methods and electronic payments will be of key importance and require digital signatures (electronic names or anonymous authentication systems).

(Amendment 45)

Annex I(4), indent 2

>Original text>

- Definition of means to access broadband networks, at the three specified layers.

>Text following EP vote>

- Definition of means to access IBC networks.

(Amendment 46)

Annex II, first paragraph

>Original text>

The identification of projects of common interest among the projects presented by interested sector actors in response to a call for proposal as mentioned in Article 7 is made on the basis of their compliance with the objectives and priorities laid down in Articles 2 and 3 respectively. These projects shall be transnational with special emphasis on projects of an interregional nature.

>Text following EP vote>

The identification of projects of common interest among the projects presented by interested sector actors in response to a call for proposal as mentioned in Article 7 is made on the basis of their exemplarity and their value as an incentive and a multiplier for use or development of information society applications, in compliance with the objectives and priorities laid down in Articles 2 and 3 respectively. These projects shall involve actors from more than one Member State and be transnational in the sense that they shall be conceived to satisfy needs existing throughout the Union and to be implemented in most Member States. This does not prevent the initial phase of their deployment, designed to check the technical and commercial viability of the project, from being carried out in a single Member State, if it appears that the conditions prevailing in this Member State are representative of those existing in the other Member States where the project should ultimately be implemented.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of guidelines for trans- European telecommunications networks (COM(95)0224 - C4-0225/95 - 95/0124(COD))

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(95)0224 - 95/0124(COD) (( OJ C 302, 14.11.1995, p. 23.)),

- having regard to Articles 129d(1) and 189b(2) of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C4-0225/95),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to its resolution of 30 November 1994 on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament and to the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: 'Europe's way to the information society: an action plan' (( OJ C 363, 19.12.1994, p. 33.)),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the opinions of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy, the Committee on Regional Policy, the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media (A4-0336/95),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty;

4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and requests that the conciliation procedure be initiated;

5. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.