The European Commission backed away from some telecom reform prop...

focussing not on spectrum or network security but regulation. Independent national regulators will form the heart of the new office, to be called the “Body of the European Telecom Regulators” as proposed by the European Parliament. Heads of national authorities will play a strong role in running the new office and appointing its managing director, the EC said. It acceded to parliament’s wish that half the staff come from national authorities, and said the office shouldn’t employ more than 20 experts. National regulators may have to withdraw or amend a draft competition condition that the EC and BERT dislike, the EC said. National regulators will be able to require functional separation of a communications provider’s network infrastructure from its service branch in some cases, it said. The EC agreed to improve coordination of radio spectrum policy by submitting a multi-annual policy program for adoption by parliament and governments. But it rejected lawmakers’ call for a new body to advise on spectrum policy, saying it wants to avoid collisions with the Radio Spectrum Policy Group. The EC accepted a controversial legislative amendment barring limits on end-users’ fundamental rights and freedoms without prior judicial ruling, calling the language “an important restatement of key legal principles” and leaves governments sufficient room to balance different rights. The EC confirmed its proposal to require telecom operators to notify regulators and the public of data security breaches. It promised the new measure will give more detailed guidance on notification thresholds. Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding said she hopes the new text will “help the French Presidency to make substantial progress” when ministers meet Nov. 27. It’s rumored, however, that opposition within the Council of Ministers could delay final approval of the reform package (CD Nov 7 p 10).