96 Amendments of Henna VIRKKUNEN related to 2015/2147(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that whilst it is impossible to hold back the digital revolution, Welcomes the Commission's Digital Single Market Strategy; stresses the opportunities for innovation and prosperity is possible to shape its courset offers, particularly as greatest job growth is expected in the areas requiring digital literacy;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication on ‘A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe’; emphasises that the implementation of digitisation and the enhanced deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) will be key tools to make the European transport system more efficient and productive, and as a result daily transport and logistics will be more fluid, safe, resource-wise and sustainable; Notes that tools are at different stages of development and implementation for transport by sea (SafeSeaNet7, Directive 2010/65/EU on reporting formalities, Blue Belt8, e-Maritime), inland waterways (RIS9), rail (TAF-TSI10), road (ITS11), air (SESAR12); calls on the commission to readily implement these tools so as to have smooth information flows;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Welcomes the proposals of the Commission to accelerate the digitalisation in Europe; emphasizes that the digitalisation affects all aspects of the lives of the European citizens;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Emphasises that the basis for a media framework for the 21st century should be technology neutrality and assuring better access to digital content and digital services;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the Commission to assess the need to modernise EU regulations and adapt them to the digital age; asks the Commission to harmonise the regulatory framework of different transport modes in order to promote true competition between modes and to encourage new innovations and services for mobility and logistics like that of single transport documents in electronic form, including those based on the sharing economy, while creating a level playing field for existing market actors and new market entrants in terms of high European standards regarding safety, working conditions, fair taxation, consumer protection and the prevention of harmful environmental effects; highlights the importance of journey planning, accessible multimodal information and clear and transparent ticketing through digital and online platforms; Stresses that Geo-blocking of transport linked services should be prevented;
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that dismantling barriers to the cross-border development of transport and tourism e-commerce is of the utmost importance; Calls on the commission to ensure the interoperability of systems and the use of common standards so as to build a truly inclusive Digital Single Market;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that a cross-border taxation system is needed to createharmonisation of taxation levels could enhance the creation of a true European Single Market and to prevent the tax avoidance practices used by several digital platforms, as highlighted by recent inquiries; calls on the Commission to support extending the public country-by- country reporting regime on taxes for multinational companies to all sectors;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to undertake a thorough assessment of the impact which digitalisation will have on the number and types of jobs available and to gather information on new forms of employment, such as crowdsourcing and crowdworking; and on the effects of new forms of employment on working and family life;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas all Union policies and legislations in the area of the Digital Single Market should allow new opportunities for users and businesses to emerge, especially within today’s service society, while taking a holistic approach that considers their social dimension as they inevitably involve structural changeoffer EU citizens a larger variety of cross-border services, stimulate the creation of innovative online services at competitive prices and facilitate easier access for businesses, and in particular SMEs, to cross-border markets;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that as job and skills profiles become more complex, newchange, ever-changing demands are being placed on training and further education; points out that further training should be job-related and in the common interest of workers and employers; emphasises the importance of social dialogue in efforts to bring course content up to date and develop skills strategies;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas all Union policies and legislation in the area of the Digital Single Market should allow new opportunities for users and businesses to emerge, especially within today’s service society and based on similar rules for similar services, while taking a holistic approach that considers their social dimension as they inevitably involve structural changes;
Amendment 79 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is of the opinion that the transport sector will become one of the largest fields of implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT).; thus underlines the importance of foresight and ex ante impact assessment in decision-making both for the regulation and infrastructure investments to build an applicable foundation for automatized transport;
Amendment 83 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. recalls, as written in the report on delivering multimodal integrated ticketing in Europe, the need to ambitiously promote the multi-modal travel information, planning and ticketing services with the vision of seamless door- to-door mobility;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas there is a strong need for an improved and robust digital economy in Europe. Barriers between Member States must be removed to create a real 'Digital Single Market' which constitutes one of the cornerstones of growth and employment in the EU;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expects the Commission to present a comprehensive report encompassing an assessment of the current state of play of digitalisation in the EU tourism market with a view to identifying and addressing challenges and opportunities of the various public and private players at national, regional and local level; Considers that such a report should include appropriate recommendations to ensure fair competition and a level playing field for all actors and to protect consumers by providing for transparency, neutrality and accessibility;
Amendment 91 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Member States to adapt educational systems not to the needs of the labour market but rather to promoting teaching and interest in mathematics, IT, science and technology in all educational institutions and to provide incentives for women to work in the field of ICT; calls on the Member States to harmonise digital skills, job profiles and training Europe-wide and to recognise digital skills that are often acquired outside formal training;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Calls on Member States to make appropriations available to employers from all possible funds in order to invest more in the digital training off their less qualified staff or to recruit low-qualified staff with a promise of further training financed from these sources;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas rules that have been crucial in the classical (offline) business world must be appropriately translated into rules for the digital world;
Amendment 129 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that the digitalisation-driven trend towards more flexible working practices may also give rise to precarious forms of employment to which current standards as regards social security, working time, working location, worker participation and employment protection no longer apply; calls for self-employed persons with quasi-employee status to be placed on an equal footing with employed persons under employment law can also take account of the desire for more flexible working arrangements and better reconciliation of family life and work; stresses that existing protection standards in the workplace are also maintained in the digital world of work; observes that the principle of codetermination must be preserved; notes that self-employed persons can themselves choose when and where to work, as well as who to accept work from;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a high level of consumer protection and satisfaction entails necessarily entails choice, flexibility, information, responsibility of all operators along the value chain and trust in a secure online environment;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a high and consistent level of consumer protection and satisfaction across all digital services necessarily entails choice, flexibility, information and trust in a secure online environment with high-level of data protection;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas investment in fixed and mobile electronic communications infrastructures is essential for a thriving Digital Single Market;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas a regulatory environment which better incentivizes investments in fixed and mobile electronic communications infrastructures is an essential requirement for a flourishing Digital Single Market; Widely available advanced communications infrastructures is essential for an inclusive digital economy;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas for the Digital Single Market to be competitive and to deliver its benefits to citizens and businesses, a level playing field for operators must be created. Market players need a reliable, fair, transparent and proportionate regulatory framework that allows them to compete fairly and equitably and to come up with innovative ideas and products without facing burdensome regulation;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the timely roll-out of future communication networks in Europe, such as 5G will depend on the creation of an investment-conducive environment;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Encourages the Member States to provide people with the digital skills that enable them to make full use of new digital technologies.
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas creativity and innovation are the engines of the digital economy and must therefore be encouraged and rewarded; whereas a high level of protection of intellectual property rights allows authors and creators to further develop their activities in the European digital market;
Amendment 154 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Encourages the Member States to boost ICT education by promoting specialised training for teachers and ensuring the availability of appropriate devices and future-proof learning materials in schools.
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication on ‘A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe’; believes that the horizontal approach taken needs to be strengthened in its implementation as the digital sectordrivers affects every dimension of society and the economy;
Amendment 172 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the need to develop employee data protection measures which cover new forms of data collection (relations between humans and robots); stresses that new relations between humans and robots also provide opportunities for removing burdens and providing backing for the inclusion of older and physically or mentally impaired workers;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that this "digital revolution" can bring enormous positive changes to the European economy, by raising productivity, dramatically reducing marginal costs for companies, creating millions of jobs and bringing unprecedented new economic opportunities; Is of the opinion that those opportunities can only be embraced through concerted efforts of the European institutions, Member States, business and the society;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that in order for Europe to fully seize the potential for growth, jobs and global competitiveness in all sectors of the economy of new developments or technologies such as Cloud Computing, 5G development, Big Data or the Internet of Things, the completion of the Digital Single Market must be a priority;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better regulation should help to examine policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation of legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light ofin the digital age requires principle-based legislation coupled with complementary non-regulatory actions to effectively adapt to new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better regulation should help to examine policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation of legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market; stresses however that it is essential to establish whether the new challenges cannot be effectively tackled with the use of existing legislation;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the European commission to propose initiatives that will overcome legal fragmentation and allow companies to reap the benefits of the single market, giving consumers a wider choice;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trusttrust of citizens and businesses in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust for both consumers and economic operators should be at the basis of both public policy and business models;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trust in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust, i.e. through data protection and security standards, should be at the basis of both public policy and business models;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the security of networks and information as well as users’ trust in digital services isare vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust should be at the basis of both public policy and business models;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that a competitive broadband environment is key to achieving the goals of the Digital Single Market, insofar it enables business diversity, economic pluralism and consumer choice;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory framework fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, improved access to finance for start-ups and SMEs, and a long term investment strategy in infrastructure, skills, research and innovation;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory frameworkand non-regulatory framework for the digital economy that is fit for investments in enhanced digital infrastructures fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, and a long term investment strategy into boost digital infrastructure, skills, research and innovation;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to support the digitalisation of industry through an agenda for smart industry, including by facilitating EU and global standards- setting and interoperability;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the need for cross-border financial instruments of venture capital which can support innovative SMEs in the scale up phase encouraging the emergence of European leaders in this new digital environment.
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture, including business model innovation; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU if they are effectively interconnected;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU on the global market if they are effectively interconnected;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU if they are effectively interconnected; therefore more focus should be put on building innovative ecosystems where different sectors, i.e. financial, medical, transport, real estate, biotechnology, of the economy cooperate together in implementing new technologies; in this respect involvement of financial instruments, such as, venture capital for best projects is crucial;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned aboutby the different national approaches taken ton regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to preserve the integrity of the single market and the internet as an trusted and secured open and global platform for communication and innovation while safeguarding citizens' interest in consistent consumer protection standards across all digital services and fair competition in the digital economy;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned about the different national approaches taken to regulating the internet and the sharing economy; urges the Commission to take action to remove barriers to digital trade, as well as preserve the integrity of the single market and the internet as an open and global platform for communication and innovation, based on the principle of fair competition;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to set ambitious and firm targets for 5G rollout, setting as European milestone - for inspiring a speedy development of 5G;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Is concerned by the different national fiscal approaches regarding the digital and sharing economy;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to put emphasis on the implementation of the European Commission's Better Regulation program so that all the legislative initiatives undertaken in the framework of the strategy for a digital single market meet the requirements of the program. This is particularly important in the digital environment, where excessive regulations cannot go hand in hand with innovation and where dynamic changes of the environment require efficient and technologically neutral solutions, able to survive the test of time;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’'s initiative to improve theconsumers' legal protection of consumers as regardsconcerning intangible digital content; points out that while consumers buying genuine tangible digital content, goods and services are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buying intangible digital content remain largely unregulated; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparablthe same level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or off, goods and services online or offline; calls on the Commission and Member States to adopt the necessary measures against the sales of illicit content and goods online;
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to improve the legal protection of consumers as regards intangible digital content; points out that while consumers buying tangible digital content are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buying intangible digital content remain largely unregulated; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or offline and whether they purchase tangible or intangible goods, products or content;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that consumers should be at the heart of the digital single market and calls for the adaptation of the current regulatory consumer protection framework for the digital age;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Welcomes the important steps that have been taken in recent years on online dispute resolution and underlines that other areas of e-commerce still need to be addressed to ensure a level playing field and help European e-commerce to accelerate;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that, in a truly functional Digital Single Market, consumers need to rely on consistent protection standards and businesses need to rely on a fair regulatory system that ensures similar rules for similar services;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Believes that better consumer protection has to be balanced with the needs and capacities of business, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises. The rights and obligations of consumers and businesses go hand-in- hand and must come to a fair balance for both sides;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Considers that dismantling barriers to the cross-border development of e- commerce is of the utmost importance. This concerns, in particular, cross-border parcel delivery and VAT rules applicable to the sale of goods and services – which, due to their fragmentation and a lack of transparency, hamper cross-border e- commerce;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Believes that building a truly inclusive Digital Single Market requires the interoperability of systems, the use of common standards and the application of the same rules online as offline;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that a full harmonisation ofEmphasises that developing the rules and the legal framework govconcerning online sales irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, while maintaining the coherence of online and offline rules regarding legal remedies, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approachshould be done in a technology neutral manner, which allows consumers and businesses to choose the appropriate technology for each purpose; welcomes the efforts to boost e-commerce irrespective whether cross-border or domestic sales;
Amendment 439 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that there is a risk that the Commission’s proposals entail a growing disparity between the applicable legal standards for offline and online purchases; believes that online and offline sales should be treated equally and that the consumer protection framework should be updated for the digital age to ensure a level playing field for consumers and for businesses;
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is sceptical about the legal nature ofBelieves that the model contracts regarding online sales of tangible goods in the absence of statutory regulationcould be one of the tools to spread best practices;
Amendment 492 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for an ambitious enforcement framework forof the consumers' acquis and of the Services Directive; encourages the Commission to make use of all means at its disposal to ensure the full and correct implementation of existing rules, including fast-track infringement procedures whenever incorrect or insufficient implementation of the directive isare identified;
Amendment 527 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Relies upon the high level of competition in delivery markets to adapt to consumer needs online and to guarantee fair prices;
Amendment 539 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Welcomes the establishment of a joint ad-hoc working group on cross- border parcels delivery between the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP) to analyse whether regulatory insights from the electronic communications sector can be transferred to the cross-border parcels sector;
Amendment 554 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that ambitious actions are needed to improve access to legal digital content, and tangible goods and services by in particular by ending unjustified geo- blocking practices and unfair price discrimination based on geographical location;
Amendment 578 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that ambitious actions are needed to improve EU-wide access to legal digital content, in particular by ending geo- blocking practices and unfair price discrimination based on geographical location;
Amendment 590 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Asks the Commission to propose measures to end practices such as IP tracking or the deliberate non- interoperability of systems restricting the choice of consumers and to guarantee the portability of people's digital lives;
Amendment 603 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports in particular the Commission’'s planned scrutiny of the practical enforcement of Article 20(2) of the Services Directive, in order to analyse possible patterns of discrimination against consumers based on their country of residence; calls on the Commission to identify and define concise case groups of or general interests, such as public health (e.g. prohibition of selling tobacco products or alcohol to minors online) justifiedying discrimination under Article 20(2) of the Services Directive in order to outlaw unjustified discriminatory behaviour by private entities and in order to provide interpretative assistance to authorities responsible for applying Article 20(2) in practice; calls on the Commission to make concerted efforts to add the provision of Article 20(2) to the Annex of Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 in order to utilise the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network’'s investigation and enforcement powers;
Amendment 607 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Supports in particular the Commission’s planned scrutiny of the practical enforcement of Article 20(2) of the Services Directive in order to analyse possible patterns of discrimination against consumers based on their country of residence or on the country of getting access to content; calls on the Commission to identify and define concise case groups of justified discrimination under Article 20(2) of the Services Directive in order to outlaw unjustified discriminatory behaviour by private entities and in order to provide interpretative assistance to authorities responsible for applying Article 20(2) in practice; calls on the Commission to make concerted efforts to add the provision of Article 20(2) to the Annex of Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 in order to utilise the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network’s investigation and enforcement powers;
Amendment 611 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Supports in particular the Commission's approach to address geo- blocking in an effective and targeted manner and considers that it is important to focus on technological measures and technical practices resulting in unjustified limitations on access to services provided across borders, on the conclusion of cross-border contracts, and also on adjacent activities, such as payment and delivery;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks, especially in rural and remote areas, is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks;
Amendment 669 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that the regulatory framework should better reward the risks of private investments in new infrastructures. This will ultimately be beneficial to the end-user also in remote areas;
Amendment 680 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Asks the Commission to take the necessary measures enabling all citizens to be connected to the internet at the highest speed and the lowest possible costs;
Amendment 681 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Calls the Commission to assess the regulatory restrictions on operators that keep them from taking business risks and investing in sparsely-populated or geographically-challenging areas. In this respect, EU State Aid regime should play a key role where private investment alone cannot be ensured. Therefore, the current application of state aid rules must be reconsidered to enable a better roll-out of broadband and other solutions;
Amendment 683 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Considers that where private investment alone cannot be ensured, citizens and businesses need to be enabled to participate in the Digital Single Market through other measures; an ambitious goal on full Internet coverage should be set;
Amendment 686 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Believes that the financing instruments in the Juncker plan will be crucial sources of investment;
Amendment 695 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Notes that the development of new services such as the Internet of Things requires new flexible, future focused policies that allow the Internet of Things to develop its potential for economic and social development in all countries;
Amendment 709 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of over-the-top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and fair competition; Underlines that in order to guarantee equal treatment, similar services should be treated in a similar way, making consumers confident that a service is bound by the same consumer, security and privacy guarantees regardless of the nature of the provider;
Amendment 710 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that sincwhile the development of over-the-top and other digital services hasve increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework shouldconsumer protection standards are fragmented. Therefore modernisation of the telecommunication framework should aim at consistent level of consumer rights across digital industry, not lead to more regulatory burdens, but shouland drive innovation and fair competition across digital markets;
Amendment 711 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of over-the-top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and fair competition; emphasises the importance of regulatory simplicity and predictability to boost infrastructure investments and to ensure similar rules for similar services;
Amendment 715 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that sincwhile the development of over- the- top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, consumers are faced with new risks related to fragmented consumer protection standards; considers therefore that modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to moreunnecessary regulatory burdens, but should ensure a high level of consumer protection, drive innovation and fair competition for all actors across the EU;
Amendment 781 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that uniform enforcement of the Connected Continent package, including the end of roaming surcharges and the net neutrality principle, requires the establishment of a single European telecommunications regulatora transparent application policy across the Member States, which takes into account all spectrum users;
Amendment 782 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that uniform enforcement of the Connected Continent package, including the end of roaming surcharges and the net neutrality principle, requires the establishment of a singlefficient coordination between European telecommunications regulators;
Amendment 807 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Urges the Commission to develop an innovation-friendly policy that fostersacilitates market entry; fosters fair and effective competition between, and innovation in, between online platforms; considers that the priorities should be transparencyransparency, good cooperation with all the actors, facilitation of switching between platforms or online services, non-discrimination, access to platforms, and identifying and addressing barriers to the emergence and scale- up of platforms and ensuring a level playing field between competitors should be priorities;
Amendment 814 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Urges the Commission to develop an innovation-friendly policy that fosters fair competition between, and innovation in, online platforms; considers that the priorities should be transparency, facilitation of switching between platforms or online services, access to platforms, non-discrimination and access to platforms for end-users as well as B2B multichannel commerce platforms and identifying and addressing barriers to the emergence and scale-up of platforms;
Amendment 862 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’s initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Economy as part of the upcoming InternalDigital Single Market Strategy;
Amendment 886 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to protect consumers in the sharingNew 3.3.2 New opportunities offered by the sharing economy Encourages the Commission to analyse the need to drive innovation and at the same time to protect consumers in the sharing economy which is essential for the competiveness of the EU economy and, where appropriate and if necessary, to come forward with proposals to ensure the adequacy of the consumer- related legislation framework in the digital sphere, including possible abuses;
Amendment 900 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Welcomes the increased competition due to the growth of the sharing economy and appreciates consumers' access to a broader range of goods and services at competitive prices and easier access;
Amendment 909 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Encourages the Commission and Member States to promote the sharing economy which could bring new opportunities and welcomes the potential of this new model to provide new consumers' safety features, such as turning cash-in-hand transactions into safe electronic payments, or providing more information about products and services;
Amendment 924 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers, in order to ensure trust in digital services, that increased resources from the public and private sector are required to strengthen the security of IT systems, critical infrastructure and online networks and the encryption of communication, to improve cyber-attack prevention and to increase knowledge of basic security processes among users of digital services; calls for the harmonised EU response in the area of cybersecurity;
Amendment 925 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Considers, in order to ensure trust and security in digital services, that increased resources from the public and private sector are required to strengthen the security of IT systems and, internet platforms, online networks and the encryption of communication, to improve cyber-attack prevention and to increase awareness of the risks and knowledge of basic security processes among users of digital services, inter alia via public-private partnership;
Amendment 936 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that given the borderless nature of the digital environment there is a need to ensure coherence and coordination between regulators, law enforcement agencies and the judicial system within the EU;
Amendment 975 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Believes that a thriving European Digital Economy is a cornerstone for boosting job creation and growth in the EU and that it is fundamental also to the modernisation of traditional industry; notes the important role of SMEs as enablers of job creation and welcomes the development of new business models and services;
Amendment 976 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Stresses that the digitalisation of other industries including manufacturing, the energy and transport sectors, the retail sector and SMEs, public services and education needs to be actively strengthened;