EC pushes members to implement new rules

Germany, France, Italy and Spain are among 16 countries accused of restricting consumer choice by failing to fully implement new European Union telecoms regulations.

 

The member states are now six months beyond the deadline set for integrating the new rules into national law, the European Commission (EC) revealed yesterday. Consumer rights in the markets are being restricted as a result, the Commission states.

 

Member states are required to embed two new EU directives into their domestic laws that replace five existing rules covering framework, access, authorization, universal service and e-privacy. Countries that fail to fully deploy the updated rules can be referred to the EU Court of Justice and fined.

 

The EU’s new rules cover consumer rights on fixed, mobile and Internet services, including the right to switch provider within 24 hours, and clear information on ISP’s traffic management policies.