GSM Europe Welcomes Dutch Presidency of
European Union |
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2004 Sees Critical Focus on Third Generation Network Investment
Brussels, Belgium, 01st July 2004: GSM Europe, the European Interest Group of the GSM Association, today welcomed the new Dutch Presidency of the European Union and its stated commitment to progressing information and communications technologies (ICT).
During its presidency tenure, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs is looking to set the ICT agenda through to 2010. In particular, GSM Europe supports the Dutch Presidency intention to strengthen European competitiveness. A worldwide survey has already been commissioned to compare the EU telecoms and ICT policy with other global regions, and will seek to highlight policy issues for current and future EU governments.
With 454 million GSM subscribers*, the EU region hosts almost half the world's one billion GSM customers. As the most influential market sector of the last 20 years, mobile communications are vital to the continued growth and interaction of EU member states both internally and worldwide. With 2004 already showing notable investment in the new third generation networks, GSM Europe fully supports the EU ICT initiatives that facilitate the progress of communications.
GSM Europe Chair Kaisu Karvala said: "This is a time for continuous and proactive support for building the communications infrastructure of the future and GSM Europe hopes the Dutch Presidency will facilitate the debate and find appropriate solutions with regards to proportionate regulation of M-payments and Data Retention.
*Estimated: End June 2004
About
the GSM Association & GSM Europe
For further information:
Ian
Volans
Corporate Communications
GSM Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 0545
Fax: +44 (0)20 7518 0531
Email: press@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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