EU drive for major telecom reform

Ms Reding singled Germany out for criticism

The European Commission has given a strong signal that it is about to break down national barriers in the telecom sector and boost competition.

The comments came in a speech given by Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding.

Speaking two days before she officially unveils plans to reform the telecom industry, she said creating a true internal market was "long overdue".

She also proposed the creation of a Europe-wide independent regulator.

Ms Reding said such a regulator for the whole of Europe was vital to prevent national variations in regulatory approach, which benefited some firms and countries at the expense of others.

She also said that her aim was for telecoms regulation to become as "light" as possible, to enable full market competition across the continent.

German criticism

Germany is one country that has been singled out for not doing enough to open up to competition in the telecoms sector.

Ms Reding said she would not accept any German proposal or plans to delay the impact of competition.

"On the telecom markets, the Commission is concerned about obstacles to competition, whether today, tomorrow or in the long-term," she said.

"We therefore do not accept monopolistic situations even if we are promised that they would 'only' last four or five years."