Electronic communications: common regulatory framework for networks and services. Framework Directive

In response to the first reading by Parliament, the Commission has accepted a number of new provisions. The majority of these serve to clarify or strengthen existing ideas in the original proposal. In addition, there are some new ideas which expand on the original text but do not change the fundamental principles. The Commission has not accepted certain amendments: - amendments which create the potential for over-regulation, particularly the one that modifies the proposal on Significant Market Power. It adds a number of alternative conditions for designating undertakings as having SMP, which creates the potential for over-regulation of undertakings in the electronic communications sector, as well as being likely to lead to inconsistency of regulatory action across the EU. - amendments which jeopardise harmonisation, in particular the removal of the obligation from an NRA to consult other EU NRAs. This is essential for building a European regulatory culture in the electronic communications sector. - amendments considered not to be in the scope of the framework, in particular those that seek to include content within the scope of the framework, or provide for audiovisual regulation to override the provisions of this framework. �