EU helps to speed up rollout

March 25, 2003

European Union ministers on Thursday will discuss ways of tapping into billions of euros of regional aid to speed up the rollout of 3G mobile phone networks, EU diplomats said.

In October last year, French President Jacques Chirac, faced with a crisis at national telecom giant France Telecom, said the sector's problems endangered economic growth and called on the European Union to aid the industry.

EU ministers ruled out the use of direct government subsidies at a meeting in December.

But the European Commission has indicated in policy documents member states could use EU regional aid or "structural funds" to build networks in underdeveloped areas where the creation of such networks would not be commercially viable

An EU spokesman said the 15-nation union had set aside 213 billion euros of structural funds for the years 2000-2006.

One quarter of the sum is earmarked for Spain, the largest EU beneficiary. Germany, Greece and Italy will receive 20 to 25 billion euros each, while France will get 15.6 billion.

The Commission, the EU's executive arm, is expected to present terms and conditions in April.

Top Sellers at our online store

1.	NEC e606 on 3
2.	Orange Nokia 7250i
3.	O2 Samsung A800
4.	NEC e808 on 3
5.	Motorola A920 on 3

last updated: January 12, 2004

Visit our online store, click here

3 phones

3G Motorola A920
Available Now! Superb full colour touch- sensitive screen with a built-in digital camera for Video Calling.
Buy now from Free

M-Profits: Making Money from 3G Services
ISBN: 0470847751

This book discusses 3G services from the view of what is needed for the service to provide value to the user, what is the value proposition for the user, how will money be made out of delivering the service, and discussions on how revenue sharing propositions might work to benefit content providers and network operators. 3G operators should take note of this highly recommended book.

buy it UK | USA

EU helps to speed up rollout

3G Books to Read!