Press Releases

GSM Europe calls on Luxembourg Presidency to accelerate the Lisbon Process by removing constraints on the mobile industry

Brussels, Belgium 02^nd February 2005: With the mid-term review of the Lisbon Process proposed today by the European Commission for adoption to the Spring Council, the Luxembourg Presidency has the opportunity to accelerate the creation of the "most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world" by resolving a number of issues that are currently constraining the development of advanced mobile services.

GSM Europe, the European Interest Group of the GSM Association, welcomes the strategic priority placed by the Luxembourg Presidency on the relaunch of the Lisbon Process emphasizing economic growth and innovation. Ms Kaisu Karvala, Chair GSM Europe, said, "3G is the engine that will drive the Lisbon Process forward by providing a platform for new and innovative services and delivering the extra capacity required to allow Europe's citizens to connect into the Information Society. However, stringent sector-specific regulation risks undermining the investment incentive."

GSM Europe represents some 140 GSM operators who serve around 480 million users in total, including around 86% of EU citizens.

Kaisu Karvala, continued: "This is a critical year for extending the reach of 3G networks and launching innovative new services. A positive investment climate is central to sustaining mobile's considerable contribution to European GDP and the social benefits that arise from allowing Europeans to communicate freely and efficiently. GSME calls on the EU to help resolve the ongoing barriers to network deployment being experienced by operators in many parts of Europe."

"We also look forward to the Luxembourg Presidency facilitating the creation of appropriate solutions for the regulation of M-payments to enable consumers to enjoy maximum benefit from the convergence of mobile and the internet", concluded Ms Karvala.

Notes for Editors:
About GSM Europe

About the GSM Association

Contact Information:

Kiki Walravens
Manager, GSM Europe
Tel: +32 2 706 81 04
Email: kwalravens@gsm.org

Web: www.gsmeurope.org