Final approval of sweeping change to EU telecom rules may be dela...

German Socialist MEP Erika Mann said. One bump is said to be the proposal for a new regulatory authority, originally floated by the European Commission (EC) and drastically altered by parliament. It’s unclear whether the governments will keep any part of the proposal, she told us. Another bone of contention is said to be failure by the EC and the Council to understand parliament’s decision to set specific conditions to make it easier for major players to invest in new networks if they give rivals access to their networks, Mann said. The Council may be distracted by work on a major energy package, she said. Several universal service issues are also roiling Council talks, Mann said. The French Presidency wants a first-reading agreement on the package by year-end but Council members say it could be pushed to next year, when the Czech Republic takes over, she said. France expects political accord at the Nov. 27 council meeting -- a “major break-through” if it occurs, a person close to the matter said. If it does, the text first must be made final, followed by formal Council adoption of a common position on Jan. 19, 2009, the source said. That would put Parliament’s final vote in April, with the laws taking effect next summer. EU countries would have until summer 2011 to adopt the regulations into national law, with the new regulatory body starting work in January 2010, the source said. The package will be approved before next June’s parliamentary elections, the source said.