Press Releases

GSM Europe Welcomes Irish EU Presidency But Calls For Renewed Wireless Commitment

Brussels, Belgium: 7^th January 2004: GSM Europe, the European Interest Group of the GSM Association, today welcomed the launch of the Irish Presidency of the European Union but called for a renewed commitment to next generation wireless network rollout.

The Irish Presidency of the European Union has placed Broadband Internet Access at the heart of its communications strategy targeting universal accessibility and affordability. In a statement this week, the Presidency also vowed to tackle illegal and harmful uses of the Internet and to outlaw SPAM.

While supporting these moves, Kaisu Karvala, GSM Europe's Chair said: "Wireless Broadband connections will be far more accessible, affordable and personal than the fixed broadband links - not least because mobile phones far outnumber personal computers and will continue to do so.

"Initiatives that spread broadband connections into schools and colleges are absolutely vital, but putting broadband connections into the hands of our young people through next generation wireless networks and handsets should also have a major role to play in the EU's vision of the Information Society."

Karvala however gave firm backing to the Irish Presidency's drive for socially responsible use of Broadband technology.

"There is no place in the wireless world for the kind of widespread spamming and corrupt use of technology that we have seen on the fixed Internet," she said.

"Operators and content providers must develop services within clearly defined parameters of what is socially responsible or they will run the risk of government intervention."

About GSM Europe:

GSM Europe is the European interest group of the GSM Association, the premier global body behind the world's leading wireless communications standard. GSM Europe represents around 143 operators in 50 countries/areas in Europe and counts around 416 million subscribers. The GSM Association is responsible for the development, deployment and evolution of the GSM standard for digital wireless communications and for the promotion of the GSM platform. For more information, visit the website at www.gsmeurope.org


Notes for Editors:


About GSM Europe

About the GSM Association

For further information please contact:

Liz Macfarlan
Communications Dept
GSM Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 0530
Fax: +44 (0)20 7518 0531
Email: lmacfarlan@gsm.org

Kiki Walravens
Communications Manager
GSM Europe
Tel: +32 15 27 59 06
Fax: +32 15 27 03 21
Email: kwalravens@gsm.org