Telecoms shake-up: What do you think?

After outlining her controversial plans for the future of the telecoms industry earlier this week, EC information society commissioner Viviane Reding has called for the public to give their opinions.

Reding has launched a public consultation on the planned changes to the telecoms regulatory framework, last updated in 2002.

Among the changes tabled by the commissioner are greater 'structural separation' for telcos, first pioneered by BT Openreach; phasing out ex anteregulation by the EC in six telecoms markets, including residental fixed line; a single agency to distribute radio spectrum across Europe; and more harmonisation of the application of EC law across member states.

The public will be invited to give their opinions until October 2007. The legislation resulting from the consultation will be drafted at the end of this year, with member states implementing the changes in 2009 or 2010.

Interested parties can find details on how to contribute to the consultation on the European Commission's website here.