The European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO) has released a statement signed by 13 telco CEOs, calling for ‘Big Tech’ to pay for network construction, among other things. The European telecom firms have called on internet giants, likely including Netflix and other major US corporations, to cover a percentage of the ISPs’ network upgrading expenses.
The letter was signed by CEOs of Deutsche Telekom, BT Group, Orange, Telefónica, Vodafone, A1 Telekom Austria Group, Vivacom, Proximus Group, Telenor Group, KPN, Altice Portugal, Telia Company, and Swisscom.
“A large and increasing part of network traffic is generated and monetized by Big Tech platforms, but it requires continuous, intensive network investment and planning by the telecommunications sector,” the letter released by ETNO stated.
“This model – which enables EU citizens to enjoy the fruits of the digital transformation – can only be sustainable if such platforms also contribute fairly to network costs,” added ETNO in its letter.
According to Reuters, these ‘Big Tech’ companies which are not mentioned by name include Netflix, Facebook, and Google (particularly YouTube). These companies would produce a lot of data traffic while not contributing to the European networks that allow them to operate in this region.
Net Neutrality
The letter makes an argument similar to one made by AT&T and other US-based Internet service providers in the previous 15 years, namely that IT businesses who distribute content over the Internet receive a ‘free ride’ and should fund the cost of developing last-mile networks that connect houses to broadband access.
Operators sometimes appear to forget that, owing to a number of major Big Tech players, their Internet subscriptions are much more relevant. Users spending the entire evening streaming may easily upgrade to a premium subscription with higher speed and volume.
At the same time, the call by European telcos appears to be an attempt to get around net neutrality as well. In Europe it’s not permitted currently, and in the end, when revising the concept of net neutrality, this would most probably result in an increase in end-user costs as the increased costs for Big Tech companies will likely be passed on to them.
The full letter by ETNO reads as follows:
Europe Needs to Translate its Digital Ambitions into Concrete Actions
We, the CEOs of Europe’s leading telecommunication companies, call on EU policymakers to closely align Europe’s digital ambitions with a supportive policy and regulatory ecosystem.
Our sector is investing heavily to bring new digital networks to all Europeans: total telecoms investment has now reached €52.5 billion/year in Europe, the highest in six years. We are innovating on top of our 5G, fiber and cable networks, with collaborative initiatives on Open-RAN, edge cloud and data-enabled services. We are taking decisive action on climate change by anticipating our own climate neutrality goals, but also by facilitating extensive ICT uptake: this can enable up to 15% reduction in CO2 emissions across the whole economy.
European political leaders have also stepped up their efforts for digital leadership. Having approved the 20% allocation to the digital transition in the Recovery Plan for Europe and supported this with ambitious EU Digital Decade targets, Europe is at a turning point.
We now need concrete and immediate action to seize the opportunity and fuel further technological innovation and inclusivity. Europe’s global role cannot be limited to buying and regulating the technology built by others: we must create the conditions for homegrown digital infrastructure and services to thrive and set global standards that others can aspire to.
In order to achieve these shared ambitions, we call for action in three areas:
- A clear alignment between European digital leadership ambitions and competition policy. The positive signals on industry collaboration – ranging from network sharing to IPCEI projects and other forms of cooperation – are important steps forward and should be reinforced. Building scale in the telecoms sector remains a priority, inside markets as well as across markets: this is in the strategic interest of the EU and its citizens.
- Strong political buy in to ensure that regulatory action fosters investment in gigabit networks, which will require €300bn additional investment. Regulation must fully reflect market realities, now and in the future. Namely, that telecom operators compete face-to-face with services by big tech, in the context of vibrant markets. High spectrum prices and auctions that artificially force unsustainable entrants into the market must end. Recent ideas to alter a European Commission proposal by extending retail price regulation to international calls – a competitive market where many free alternatives exist – are at odds with the Digital Decade targets: we estimate that they would forcibly remove over €2 billion revenues from the sector in a 4-year period, which is equivalent to 2.5% of the sector’s yearly investment capacity for mobile infrastructure. In addition, the on-going policy work on reducing the cost of roll-out is of essence and should proceed speedily.
- A renewed effort to rebalance the relationship between global technology giants and the European digital ecosystem. Horizontal measures such as the Digital Markets Act play a crucial role and, for this reason, we firmly support them. In addition, we must also consider important sector-specific issues. Large and increasing part of network traffic is generated and monetized by big tech platforms, but it requires continuous, intensive network investment and planning by the telecommunications sector. This model – which enables EU citizens to enjoy the fruits of the digital transformation – can only be sustainable if such big tech platforms also contribute fairly to network costs. Furthermore, we must ensure that new industrial strategies allow European players – including telcos – to compete successfully in global data spaces, so we can develop a European data economy that is built on true European values.
Europe needs a strong telecom sector and ecosystems. We stand ready to help institutions to further shape a policy environment that accelerates digitalization to the benefit of all European citizens and businesses.
Signatories:
- Thomas Arnoldner, CEO, A1 Telekom Austria Group
- Nikolai Andreev, CEO, Vivacom
- Guillaume Boutin, CEO, Proximus Group
- Sigve Brekke, President and CEO, Telenor Group
- Joost Farwerck, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management, KPN
- Alexandre Fonseca, Executive President, Altice Portugal
- Timotheus Höttges, CEO, Deutsche Telekom
- Philip Jansen, CEO, BT Group
- Allison Kirkby, President and CEO, Telia Company
- José María Alvarez Pallete, Chairman and CEO, Telefónica
- Nick Read, CEO, Vodafone Group
- Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO, Orange Group
- Urs Schaeppi, CEO, Swisscom
