15 Amendments of Demetris PAPADAKIS related to 2016/0287(COD)
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Amongst measures to support the vision of European connectivity, it promotes the deployment of local wireless access points through simplified planning procedures and reduced regulatory obstacles. Such access points, including those ancillary to the provision of other public services or non-commercial in character, can make an important contribution to the improvement of current and the deployment of future generations of wireless communications networks by facilitating more granular coverage in line with evolving needs. Given the rapid progress of the digital technology, regular checks and quality controls shall be carried out in order to ensure the high quality and proper functioning of the local wireless access points, aiming to turn this initiative more sustainable and long-lasting.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Following the Communication setting out a European vision of Internet connectivity for the Digital Single Market and in order to promote digital literacy and inclusion, the Union should support the provision of free, high speed local wireless connectivity of high quality in the centres of local public life, including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public, through targeted support. Such support is so far not covered by Regulations (EU) No 1316/201315 and (EU) No 283/201416 , with a minimum connection speed of 100 megabit/s thus meeting the Gigabit society related targets which aim to deploy ultra-fast speed broadband by 2025. Such support is so far not covered by Regulations (EU) No 1316/201315 and (EU) No 283/201416 . Digital inclusion should not discriminate remote location and rural zones. Better Internet connectivity should lead to better access to information and communications and therefore have a positive impact to the Social Progress Index (SPI) of regions. _________________ 15 Regulation (EU) No 1316/20136 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility, amending Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 680/2007 and (EC) No 67/2010, OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 129, as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2015, OJ L 169, 1.7.2015, p. 1. 16 Regulation (EU) No 283/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on guidelines for trans- European networks in the area of telecommunications infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1336/97/EC, OJ L 86, 21.3.2014, p. 14.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Support of this kind should encourage entities with a public mission such as public authorities and providers of public services to offer free local wireless connectivity-while guaranteeing high level of cyber security-, as an ancillary service to their public mission so as to ensure that local communities can experience the benefits of very high-speed broadband in the centres of public life. Such entities c, including municipalities, in and aroulnd include municipalitipublic buildings, parks, town squares and other local public authorities, libraries and hospital, schools, universities, hospitals and health centres. The offer of high-speed free wireless connectivity should be also provided to free accessible spaces of public transport, such as waiting areas.
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) Improving access to fast and ultra- fast broadband and ICT services, especially in remote areas, can increase the quality of life of individuals by facilitating access to services (e.g. e- Health and e-Government) and the economic possibilities for local business and start-ups, ultimately improving social inclusion, economic growth and competitiveness. The competent authorities should therefore ensure that nobody is left behind and that the Internet content and online services are accessible to all, including non-digitally literate citizens and people with disabilities.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4 b) This EU initiative of deployment of local wireless access points should pave the way for the creation of a common pan-European network through WiFi4EU (SSID) which would also be a trademark for quick and secure pan-European WiFi.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Local wireless connectivity should only qualify as free where it is provided without corresponding remuneration, whether by direct payment or other types of consideration, including, but not limited to, advertising and the provision of personal data. Under no circumstances the EU co-financed wireless Internet can be made dependent on purchasing any goods or services.
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10 a) Given the common challenges that rural, remote and sparsely populated areas are facing-compared to urban areas-concerning broadband, such as structurally lower and fragmented demand as well as higher unit (i.e. per end-user) deployment and infrastructure maintenance costs, there will be guarantees that these areas also benefit from free, high speed local wireless connectivity of high quality. It is therefore important that information about the planned action and the relevant conditions reaches the local authorities as early as possible in order to initiate preparations so that when calls for proposals are issued,funds can be swiftly applied for.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Given Internet connectivity needs within the Union and the, the evolution of the urban-rural digital divide which broadens with new technological developments and the subsequent urgency of promoting access networks that can deliver, throughout the EU, an Internet experience of high quality based on very high-speed broadband services, financial assistance should seek to attain a geographically balanced distribution that contributes to the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion by taking particular account of the needs of local communities.In case of natural disasters (e.g. floods, earthquake) the free WiFi network should be as robust as possible in order to support quick communication between emergency services and citizens.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 283/2014
Article 4–paragraph 1–point c
Article 4–paragraph 1–point c
(c) support the provision of free, high speed local wireless connectivity in local communities.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) No 283/2014
Article 6–paragraph 8a
Article 6–paragraph 8a
8a. Actions contributing to projects of common interest in the field of providing free, high speed local wireless connectivity in local communities shall meet conditions set out in Section 4 in the Annex.
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Actions aiming at the provision of free, high speed local wireless connectivity of high quality in the centres of local public life, including outdoor spaces accessible to the general public that play a major role in the public life of local communities, shall be eligible for financial assistance.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Financial assistance shall be available to entities with a public mission such as local authorities and providers of public services undertaking the obligation to provide free, high speed local wireless connectivity for a minimum period of three years, subject to repayment of the received funds, through the installation of local wireless access points.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
a. is free, safe,easy to access, and uses state-of-the-art equipment, and
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Projects duplicating already existing private or public offers of similar characteristics, including quality, in the same area shall not be covered. It is therefore important to ensure greater integration between all of the existing public WiFi services so as to make the most of the available resources and avoid misspending.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
The available budget shall be allocated to projects in a geographically balanced manner to projects meeting the above conditions in view of the proposals received and, in principle, on a 'first come, first served' basishat contributes-within the limits of the received proposals-to the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion by taking particular account of the needs of local communities. At least 20% of the budget should be allocated to areas that are less developed economically and digitally, with particular emphasis on islands and on mountainous, border and peripheral areas, as well as on areas that have been exposed to natural disasters, in order to invest the resources where they are most needed.