COMMUNICATIONS: ESC WANTS TO EXTEND UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

• Position: Government Activity - Brief Article

The Economic and Social Committee (ESC) wants Internet access to be included in the raft of universal service obligations. In the report adopted at the 1 March plenary session (rapporteur: Hernandez Bataller; Spain, "Miscellaneous Activities") group, on the draft "Directive on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services", the ESC argues that including Internet access will help meet the objectives of eEurope and is essential if certain groups of the population (the disabled, people on a low income, non profit...