TELECOMMUNICATIONS: MEMBER STATES TOLD TO IMPROVE 112 SERVICES OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

• Position: Brief Article

The Commissioner did not mince her words when she said that Brussels would take legal action against EU countries that failed to fulfil their obligations regarding the response to 112 emergency calls. Infringement proceedings against Poland were started by the Commission due to the inability to access 112 from fixed lines, but the case was subsequently closed once the problem was rectified. Mrs Reding underlined that although legal action was seen as a last resort, member states would face the consequences if they did not follow the good practice exhibited by certain states. She highlighted in particular the examples of Finland, where there is a limit of 90 seconds between emergency calls being made and services being activated, and the UK, where a number of different language options are available to callers from foreign countries.

Speaking at a conference attended by representatives from all 25 member states on October 11, Mrs Reding reminded delegates of their obligations under the 2002 Universal Service Directive. The...