GSM
Europe Welcomes Irish EU Presidency But Calls For Renewed
Wireless Commitment |
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Brussels,
Belgium: 7th January 2004: GSM
Europe, the European Interest Group of the GSM
Association, today welcomed the launch of the Irish
Presidency of the European Union but called for
a renewed commitment to next generation wireless
network rollout.
The Irish Presidency of the European Union has placed Broadband Internet Access
at the heart of its communications strategy targeting universal accessibility
and affordability. In a statement this week, the Presidency also vowed to tackle
illegal and harmful uses of the Internet and to outlaw SPAM.
While supporting these moves, Kaisu Karvala, GSM Europe's Chair said: "Wireless
Broadband connections will be far more accessible, affordable and personal than
the fixed broadband links - not least because mobile phones far outnumber personal
computers and will continue to do so.
"Initiatives that spread broadband connections into schools and colleges are
absolutely vital, but putting broadband connections into the hands of our young
people through next generation wireless networks and handsets should also have
a major role to play in the EU's vision of the Information Society."
Karvala however gave firm backing to the Irish Presidency's drive for socially
responsible use of Broadband technology.
"There is no place in the wireless world for the kind of widespread spamming
and corrupt use of technology that we have seen on the fixed Internet," she said.
"Operators and content providers must develop services within clearly defined
parameters of what is socially responsible or they will run the risk of government
intervention."
About
GSM Europe:
GSM
Europe is the European interest group of the GSM
Association, the premier global body behind the world's
leading wireless communications standard. GSM Europe
represents around 143 operators in 50 countries/areas
in Europe and counts around 416 million subscribers.
The GSM Association is responsible for the development,
deployment and evolution of the GSM standard for
digital wireless communications and for the promotion
of the GSM platform. For more information, visit
the website at www.gsmeurope.org
Notes for Editors:
About GSM Europe
About the GSM Association
For
further information please contact:
Liz Macfarlan
Communications Dept
GSM Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 0530
Fax: +44 (0)20 7518 0531
Email: lmacfarlan@gsm.org
Kiki
Walravens
Communications Manager
GSM Europe
Tel: +32 15 27 59 06
Fax: +32 15 27 03 21
Email: kwalravens@gsm.org
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