EU promises cheaper broadband deals

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Moves to open up the electronics market will benefit 500 million consumers, said European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

"From today onwards, a single market without borders for Europe's telecoms operators and consumers is no longer only a dream," he said.

"Telecoms is a field where our single market can bring about very concrete results for every citizen in terms of more choice and lower prices, whether for mobile phones or for broadband Internet connections.

"At the same time, a single market with 500 million consumers opens new opportunities for telecoms operators - if Europe helps to ensure effective competition and consistent rules of the game. This is why we act today."

The Commission, still buoyed by the success and speed of its drive to bring down mobile phone roaming charges, is now targeting the rest of the telecoms market.

The proposals, which will require approval from EU governments, include setting up a European Telecom Market Authority to streamline communication services across the 27 EU countries.

It will work with national telecoms authorities to ensure open competition in the sector, with stronger consumer rights, more reliable communications networks and better defence against viruses and other "cyber-attacks".

The Commission says the current fragmentation of the EU telecoms market is preventing consumers from benefiting from cross-border competition. And whilst the introduction of the roaming regulation in the summer dealt with one aspect of this, the Commissioner wants to address the essence of the problem so that consumers can benefit from better and cheaper communication services - such as via Internet telephony, fast broadband connection and cable TV.

The Commission hopes the measures will become law by 2010. If so, consumers will have the right to switch telecoms operators within just one day, the right to transparent and comparable price information; the possibility to call freephone numbers from abroad, and access to a more effective single European emergency number 112.