OpenLobby.EU
Explore

European Wireless Infrastructure Association

EWIA

The European Wireless Infrastructure Association’s objective is to support its members as they seek to make and manage long term investments in independent wireless infrastructure and represent the industry’s interests in matters of public policy within the European Union.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Review of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (Directive 2014/61/EU)

16 May 2023

Looking at the current EU policy landscape, EWIA welcomes initiatives such as the EUs Digital Decade aimed at boosting investments in new generation networks (5G), providing better connectivity especially in rural areas and reducing the costs of deployment. In this regard, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA) proposals objective to facilitate and incentivise the deployment of high-speed electronic communications networks by reducing the associated cost and inefficiencies is a step in the right direction even though the proposal presents several areas for improvement. EWIA welcomes the fact that the GIA builds on the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (BCRD) to enable access to the infrastructure needed to facilitate faster and cheaper deployment of Very High-Capacity Networks. In this context our industry should be leveraged as a valuable partner to EU policymakers and play a central role in facilitating the deployment of electronic communications networks. As infrastructure sharing is at the heart of our business model, with incentives very different to vertically integrated mobile operators, independent towercos can help to attract more investment, provide better connectivity, and reduce infrastructure costs as well as the EUs environmental footprint, supporting the EUs path to the digital decade. On the other hand, Article 3 would impose obligations of granting compulsory access and becoming subject to price regulation on different groups of actors without differentiation according to their respective business models: public ECN operators (later referred to, in our context of wireless VHCN, as MNO); operators of associated facilities including towercos; operators of other networks and public bodies. The GIA proposal follows a one size fits all approach which ignores the different structural and commercial features of these groups. As recognised in Article 80 of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) which applies to Wholesale-only undertakings, independent towercos have very different business models and incentives than vertically integrated mobile operators. Infrastructure sharing being at the heart of their business model, they achieve higher levels of utilisation and hence greater connectivity at lower cost and should therefore be subject to a lighter regulatory touch to preserve investment incentives. In turn, the proposed GIA would also create access rights to third party infrastructure for (or facilitate the operations of) public ECN operators and operators of associated facilities including towercos. However, the proposal could create uncertainties for the contracts agreed between the operator seeking access and the network operator or public body granting access and terms agreed in bilateral negotiations between operators and network operators. The proposal neither addresses, at least not sufficiently, the need to secure existing access rights and leases of land and rooftops. Both are key elements in supporting investment incentives and the objective of the Digital Decade to ensure 5G everywhere. For this reason, we believe that some regulatory provisions in the GIA proposal making independent towercos subject to price and access regulation are unwarranted and disproportionate and therefore run the risk of severely hampering the efficient towerco business model and ultimately infrastructure deployment the EU. This would be the contrary of the intent of the GIA. In the paper in attachment, we have highlighted some recommendations that aim to ensure that the Gigabit Infrastructure Act is fit for purpose and that independent towercos can help achieve its objectives.
Read full response

Response to Key performance indicators for the Digital Decade policy programme 2030

10 Mar 2023

EWIA welcomes the Draft Implementing Act published by the European Commission on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the obtention of the Digital Decade targets. We fully support the setting of ambitious, forward-looking, and clearly quantified KPIs for measuring the achievement of the Digital Decade targets. EWIA particularly supports the target of providing 5G connectivity to everyone, everywhere. This is an essential tool in driving the twin digital and green transitions, and furthermore will support diverse communities in enhancing their digital skills and fully participating in the Digital Decade. You will find additional information in our position in attachement.
Read full response

Response to Policy Program - Digital Decade Compass

10 Dec 2021

You will find the feedback our our organisation, EWIA - the European Wireless Infrastructure Association, in the document attached.
Read full response

Meeting with Filomena Chirico (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

6 Jul 2021 · 5G deployment

Meeting with Alina-Stefania Ujupan (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager), Kim Jorgensen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

18 Nov 2020 · Connectivity, 5G

Response to Light deployment regime for small-area wireless access points

26 Mar 2020

EWIA submits its feedback in the attached document outlining the first-hand experience of our members in relation to small cell deployment as well as a number of recommendations for the policy makers to take into consideration.
Read full response

Meeting with Alina-Stefania Ujupan (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager), Nele Eichhorn (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

20 Feb 2020 · 5G; Telecom investments